New system for measuring cosmogenic Ne in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial rocks

Györe, D. , Di Nicola, L., Currie, D. and Stuart, F. M. (2021) New system for measuring cosmogenic Ne in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial rocks. Geosciences, 11(8), 353. (doi: 10.3390/geosciences11080353)

Abstract

Cosmogenic Ne isotopes are used for constraining the timing and rate of cosmological and Earth surface processes. We combined an automated gas extraction (laser) and purification system with a Thermo Fisher ARGUS VI mass spectrometer for high through-put, high precision Ne isotope analysis. For extra-terrestrial material with high cosmogenic Ne concentrations, we used multi-collection on Faraday detectors. Multiple measurements (n = 26) of 1.67 × 10−8 cm3 air-derived 20Ne yielded an uncertainty of 0.32%, and 21Ne/20Ne = 0.17% and 22Ne/20Ne = 0.09%. We reproduced the isotope composition of cosmogenic Ne in the Bruderheim chondrite and Imilac pallasite in a sub-ten mg sample. For lower Ne amounts that are typical of terrestrial samples, an electron multiplier detector was used in peak jumping mode. Repeated analysis of 3.2 × 10−11 cm3 STP 20Ne from air reproduced 21Ne/20Ne and 22Ne/20Ne with 1.1% and 0.58%, respectively, and 20Ne intensity with 1.7% (n = 103) over a 4-month period. Multiple (n = 8) analysis of cosmogenic Ne in CREU-1 quartz yielded 3.25 ± 0.24 × 108 atoms/g (2 s), which overlaps with the global mean value. The repeatability is comparable to the best data reported in the international experiments performed so far on samples that are 2–5× smaller. The ability to make precise Ne isotope determinations in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial samples that are significantly smaller than previously analysed suggests that the new system holds great promise for studies with limited material.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Cosmogenic 21Ne, noble gas isotope, mass spectrometry, neon isotope, 21Ne, Ne dating, Bruderheim chondrite, Imilac pallasite, CREU quartz, cosmogenic nuclides.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Currie, David and Di Nicola, Dr Luigia and Gyore, Dr Domokos and Stuart, Professor Fin

Creator Roles

Stuart, F. M.: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Györe, D.: Conceptualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Di Nicola, L.: Conceptualization, Data curation, Writing – review and editing
Currie, D.: Data curation, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Györe, D., Di Nicola, L., Currie, D., and Stuart, F. M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Geosciences
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2076-3263
• ISSN (Online): 2076-3263
• Published Online: 23 August 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Geosciences 11(8): 353
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License