The Planetary & Space Sciences Discipline hosted by CEPSAR has several laboratories dedicated to light element stable isotope mass spectrometry. Each laboratory focuses on different scientific objectives, employing a variety of analytical approaches. Much of the research includes a strong element of instrument and technique development, which includes a two way exchange with the spaceflight instrumentation programmes.
The main analytical laboratories are:
Stable Isotope Geochemistry laboratories
The stable isotopes of the elements H, C, N, O and S are powerful tracers of geochemical processes in terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments and in laboratory experiments. CEPSAR scientists use stable isotope measurements extensively in meteoritic, geochemical, ecological and archaeological research for studies of the early solar system, astrobiology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and biogeochemical systems.
The stable isotope geochemistry laboratory at The Open University is equipped with Thermo-Scientific MAT 253 and Delta+ Advantage gas source mass spectrometers for the measurement of natural abundance stable isotope ratios in geological and extraterrestrial materials. Peripheral devices on the MAT 253 comprise a Thermo Flash HT for fully automated multi-element isotope analysis of C, N, S, O and H in solid and liquid samples and a Thermo GC Isolink for compound specific isotope analysis of C, N and H. The Delta+ Advantage is equipped with a Thermo Gas Bench II for high precision on-line isotope ratio determination of gas species, waters and carbonates. The laboratory has a range of supporting equipment for the preparation and characterisation of samples prior to analysis.
Contact Information
Lead Academic - Dr Iain Gilmour
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 655140
Laboratory Manager - Dr Mabs Gilmour
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 658242
Oxygen 3-isotope
Oxygen isotope abundance variations in meteorites are very useful in elucidating chemical and physical processes that occurred during the formation of the solar system. This laboratory is equipped with a laser fluorination system employing a CO2 laser and a Thermo Scientific MAT 253 gas source mass spectrometer with dual- and continuous flow-inlets for high precision oxygen 3-isotope analyses of meteoritic materials.
Contact Information
Lead Academic - Dr Ian Franchi
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 655173
Laboratory Manager - Dr Mabs Gilmour
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 658242
High Sensitivity C, N and noble gases:
Planetary science research at The Open University has a long history in the development of hi-sensitivity static vacuum mass spectrometers that utilise the actual mass spectrometer as the sample reservoir in the same manner as a noble gas instrument. This provides a gain in sensitivity of up to 4 orders of magnitude with a loss in precision of about 1 order of magnitude compared to dual inlet instruments. As most meteorite samples are generally very precious but contain large isotopic variations this is a more than acceptable compromise.
Contact Information
Lead Academic - Dr Sasha Verchovsky
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 655008
Laboratory Manager - Dr Mabs Gilmour
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 658242