1996 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Construction of a mass spectrometric system for isotope analysis of argon from micro-gram-size samples
| Project/Area Number |
07504006
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 試験 |
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| Research Field |
Geology
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| Research Institution | Okayama University |
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Principal Investigator |
NAGAO Keisuke Okayama University, Inst.for Study of the Earth's Interior Professor, 固体地球研究センター, 教授 (40131619)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1995 – 1996
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| Keywords | Noble gas mass spectrometer / Ar isotope analysis / Noble gas analysis |
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| Research Abstract |
A new VG5400 was installed without VG engineer. Residual gas mass spectrum was obtained on June 20,1996. After that, it was improved and modified. Helium isotopic analyzes of geothermal gas samples began on December 27,1996. All noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) of rock samples, mostly mantle derived xenoliths, were measured from January 18,1997. Fairly good stability and blank level have been attained through the analyzes of samples with low noble gas concentrations. However, sensitivity is not satisfactory if it is compared with that of the mass spectrometer, MS-II,with the highest sensitivity in my laboratory. The reason is probably due to an insufficient alignment of filament in the ion source. It will be improved in the near future.
Summary of performed specifications
1) Mass spectrometer
Vacuum : <5x10^<-10>Torr
Absolute sensitivity : 5x10^<-4>A/Torr (for Ar)
Detection limit : 5x10^<-15>cm^3STP (for Ar)
Precision of isotope ratio analysis : 1% (for ^<40>Ar/^<36>Ar with 5x10^<-10>cm^3STP^<40>Ar)
Blank : 5x10^<-12>cm^3STP (for ^<40>Ar)
2) Noble gas extraction and purification system
Vacuum : <5x10^<-10>Torr
Blank of Ta-heater : <3x10^<-9>cm^3STP (for ^<40>Ar)
Blank of laser extraction : <10^<-11>cm^3STP (for ^<40>Ar)
3) Total system
Dynamic range of measurable absolute volume of noble gases : 10^<-7>-10^<-16>cm^3STP
Availability of different methods of noble gas extraction : Ta-furnace : mg-g sample size Laser extraction : mg-mug (-ng) Crush and melt
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