DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

In the Mass Spectrometry laboratory, the isotopic composition of selected chemical elements is determined. In more detail, it is possible to analyze radiogenic (e.g., Sr, Nd, Pb), radioactive (e.g., U, Th) and stable (e.g., Li, B) isotopes in any sample that can be reduced to a solid compound. The main research activities related to these analyses include for example:

- petrogenesis of magmas (characterization of source regions of magmatism; reconstruction of magma genesis and evolution processes in variable geodynamic settings of Earth);

- volcanology and volcanic risk (residence time of magmas before eruptions; reconstruction of time evolution of the magmatic feeding system of volcanoes, even during the course of a single eruption; geochemical characterization of tephras).

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

• Triton Plus mass spectrometer (Fig. 1), manufactured by Thermo Scientific (Brema, Germany), equipped with 8 adjustable and 1 fixed Faraday cups, as well as 1 secondary electrons multiplier (SEM) with RPQplus (Retarding Potential Quadrupole) filter for measuring low intensity signals. The Triton Plus can host up to 21 samples mounted on a rotating magazine; it is equipped with an electromagnetic lenses system (zoom optics) allowing complete overlapping of several mass peaks during static measurements; furthermore, it has a software application allowing the “virtual rotation” of the amplifiers on each Faraday cup during the measurements. The magnet has an asymmetric design with extended geometry allowing measurement of isotope ratios at mass unit steps for elements from lithium to uranium.
• Filament sample loading unit (Fig. 2).
• Filament degassing unit (Fig. 3).

Fig. 1 – The Triton Plus, the mass spectrometer installed at DiSTAR

Fig. 2 – The filament sample loading unit installed at DiSTAR

• Fig 3 – The filament degassing unit installed at DiSTAR