Nd SYSTEM Equipment

VG-MM54R, purchased in 1981, is nearly identical in design and capability to the VG-MM54E. It is primarily used for U-Th-Pb, neodymium-samarium, and rubidium-strontium isotopic analyses. Located in Denver. KEVEX 770 X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, purchased in 1991, allows rapid turnaround and inexpensive analyses for a wide range of elements. These elements can be analyzed quantitatively if suitable standards exist, or semi-quantitatively. The XRF instrument is fully-automated and holds sixteen samples at a time. It uses source-tuned incident x-rays for optimal analysis conditions for a given element and has a high-resolution energy dispersive detector. Located in Denver. MAT 262, purchased in 1993, is a fully-automated isotope-ratio TIMS. It is equipped with seven Faraday collectors, six of which are adjustable. The instrument is equipped with a 13-sample turret and an ion-counting electron multiplier. It is primarily used to analyze U and Th isotopes for U-series disequilibrium studies and Sr-isotope ratios for tracer studies. It is occasionally used for Pb and Sm-Nd isotopic analyses. Located in Denver.

| Capabilities | | Geochronology, Geochemistry, and Tracer Studies  | | Geochemistry, and Tracer Studies  |

URL http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/capabilities/gronemtrac/geochem/nd/equip.html