Nu Sapphire: The Next Generation MC-ICP-MS

Abstract:

Sapphire from Nu Instruments, is a next generation MC-ICP-MS. The instrument is equipped with a novel dual-path design, including both a conventional MC-ICP-MS (High Energy) path and a hexapole collision/reaction cell (Low Energy) path, designed for high precision isotopic measurements of both classical and novel systems.

The dual path transfer optics retain the high sensitivity of Plasma 3 by extracting the ions at 6kV. The ion beam can then be directed along two switchable paths to suit different applications. The collision/eaction cell can be used to remove isobaric interferences for special applications (e.g. Ca, K, S, Ti, V, Cr, Se), and fully bypassed when analyzing classical isotope systems (e.g. Li, Nd, Hf, Pb, U) that do not require removal of interferences. The Sapphire High Energy mode offers uncompromised accuracy and precision identital to a standard Plasma 3 instrument, and the Low Energy mode is revolutionary for high precision measurements of isotope systems that are very difficult and sometimes impossible on a conventional MC-ICP-MS. This talk will focus on the need of a collision/reaction cell for certain applications, challenges the previous generation collision/reaction cell MC-ICP-MS had to face and the solution Sapphire offers. Data on both classical and novel isotope systems will be presented.