Lab equipment

The Nevada Isotope Geochronology Laboratory houses a NGX-600 rare gas mass spectrometer equipped with ATONA amplifiers. The NGX contains a 9x faraday cup setup with an ion counting electron multiplier that allows for the measurement of ³⁶Ar on either the faraday cup with ATONA amplifiers or multiplier depending on initial concentrations. This mass spectrometer is connected to a high vacuum extraction line with automated pneumatic valves, and a quadrapole mass spectrometer for monitoring gas species prior to admission to the rare gas mass spectrometer. The NGX, its extraction line, and auxiliary equipment are computer automated using a custom ArArSuite of software as well as IsotopX’s Instrument Control and IsolinX software. Sample extraction is performed through either a temperature controlled double vacuum resistance furnace capable of heating samples to 1600 °C ± 1-2 °C with a motorized sample dropper capable of running up to 16 sequential samples. Alternatively, samples can be analyzed through a low-blank laser chamber and incrementally heated using a Synrad Firestar 30W CO₂ laser. We have been fully operational and routinely performing ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses since July of 1999. The images below outline construction of the lab.

We have been fully operational and routinely performing ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses since July of 1999. The images below outline construction of the lab.

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