PNNL

Abstract

Many fields of basic and applied sciences, including geochronology, astronomy, metabolism, nutrition and forensics rely on the ability of mass spectrometry to make isotope ratio measurements with a high degree of certainty. The inability to resolve difficult isobaric interferences still plagues certain measurements of this type. A combined atomic and molecular (CAM) ionization source has been interfaced to a high-field Orbitrap mass spectrometer in an effort to alleviate severe atomic, isobaric interferences. Specifically, this work examines the geochronological-significant 87Sr and 87Rb isotope pair. The mass difference between 87Sr and 87Rb is ~0.3 mDa, requiring a minimum resolving power (R = m/?m) of ~290,000, a value ~30X higher than available with conventional (sector-field) elemental mass spectrometers. Under ultra-high resolution conditions, Sr isotope ratio accuracy and precision were evaluated using NIST Sr SRM 987, yielding precision values of 1.7 M. At equal 87Sr and 87Rb intensities, the 87Sr/86Sr was measured as 0.71294 (an error of 0.37%) with a precision of 0.097 %RSD, clearly reflecting the alleviation of the isobaric interference.