NS 6900

Trace Element and Isotopic Analysis

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

Survey course in modern high-precision isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) techniques and trace/surface methods of analysis, with emphasis on practical aspects of instrumentation and analysis. The first third of the class emphasizes dual inlet and continuous flow IRMS. The remainder covers elemental MS, atomic, X-ray, and electron spectroscopies, ion and electron microscopies, with biological and solid state applications.

When Offered Fall.

Permission Note Enrollment primarily for: Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: CHEM 2080 or CHEM 2880 or CHEM 3020 or CHEM 3900; PHYS 2208 and MATH 1120, or permission of instructor.

• Describe principles of high precision isotope ratio measurements, including standardization creation and use of international isotopic standards.
• Outline the principles and design of high precision IRMS instruments. Describe principles and operation of dual inlet and continuous flow instruments. Discuss novel spectroscopic methods for high precision isotope analysis.
• Outline principles of elemental mass spectrometry for trace analysis including elemental imaging, and including principles of calibration.
• Outline analytical aspects of the major elemental spectroscopies, and major electron beam-based elemental analysis techniques.
• Outline strategies for elemental and isotopic analysis of solids and liquids.

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