Large Geometry Ion Micro Probe Facility
The Large Geometry Ion Microprobe (LGIM) Facility of the John de Laeter Centre, at Curtin University, WA, provides Australian and international scientists in academia, government, and industry, access to two high resolution ion microprobes, the CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 and the SHRIMP II. The Facility was established in 1992 with the purchase of the first commercially manufactured LGIM, the SHRIMP II ion microprobe, by a WA consortium comprised of Curtin University, the Geological Survey of WA and the University of WA. A second SHRIMP II was purchased in 2003. A CAMECA IMS 1300HR3, funded by NCRIS through AuScope, Curtin University and the WA State Government, was installed in 2022.
The CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 and SHRIMP II large geometry ion microprobes are mass spectrometers that allow in situ isotopic and trace element micro-analysis of complexly zoned minerals in grain mounts and thin section plugs, with a spatial resolution of <1 to 30 microns. Inorganic and biological minerals may have age zonation and internally complex isotopic patterns that require micro-analytical techniques to decipher their formation and subsequent evolution. Ultrahigh-precision isotope ratio analysis at the micron scale combined with high resolution textural observation is essential in modern science, as such data can provide fundamental new levels of understanding of geological, planetary, or biological samples and processes.
LGIM technical background
The CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 and SHRIMP II are secondary ion mass spectrometers that focus primary ions, both Cs+ and O-, that have been accelerated to high velocity, onto a target material. The impact of the primary ions produces secondary ions that are then transported through the mass spectrometer and counted at the collector. By separating and counting isotopes of the same element that have different mass, it is possible to produce isotope ratios, that can be corrected for instrument bias, to obtain true isotope ratios. The focused primary ions produce a crater that is a few microns deep and that has sub-micron to 10’s of micron lateral resolution and this means SIMS analysis is minimally destructive. Thus, LGIM SIMS is the perfect technique for in-situ analysis of solids where sampling needs to be performed at small size, high sensitivity and low detection limits, when ultraprecise, accurate isotope ratios are required. In addition to individual spot analyses, SIMS can produce depth profiles and isotopes images.
LGIM Techniques
- Stable isotope analysis of D/H, Li, O, Mg, Si, S, Cl, Ca, transition elements, Sr and Zr
- In situ U-Th-Pb geochronology
- U-Th disequilibrium dating
- Ion imaging
- Ti-in-Zircon geothermometry
- Nuclear Forensic analysis of particles
- Trace element analysis
- Depth profiling
CAMECA IMS 1300HR3
The CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 measures δ18O (Δ17O) in oxygen bearing minerals and solid biological materials, δ13C and halogens in carbonates and solid biological materials, δ7Li, δ26Mg and δ30Si in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial silicates and oxides, δ33S, δ34S, δ36S, (Δ33S and Δ36S) in sulphides, and 87Sr/86Sr in apatite. In addition, the 1300HR3 also allows dating using the extinct Al-Mg and Mn-Cr radioactive systems in meteorite samples, depth profiling, isotope imaging, and forensic analysis of nuclear materials
Applications
CAMECA ion microprobes have revolutionised stable isotope geology and expanded the legacy of early smaller ion probes. Application areas for the CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 are listed below.
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- Earliest Solar System Evolution
Studies of chondrules, CAI, star dust and achondrites using stable isotopes and extinct radiogenic isotope systems, such as Mn-Cr, and Al-Mg to constrain solar nebula events. - Extra-terrestrial Geochemistry
Planet and planetesimal formation and alteration research relies heavily on in situ isotope micro analysis. The age and effects of impacts, thermal history of Lunar samples from NASA and Martian meteorites have been studied by CAMECA ion probes. Mn-Cr studies of Fe-rich olivine in meteorites provides time constraints on weathering processes in asteroids. - Sample Return Missions
Oxygen and Chromium isotope ratios can identify the parental material and nebular source region of micro grains brought back by sample return missions, such as Hyabusa II. The CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 is the ideal instrument to analyse Martian samples brought back to Earth by the Mars Sample Return mission in 2033. - Early Earth Atmosphere
S isotope NMDF MDF The Curtin SHRIMP is essential to the mapping program of the Geological Survey of Western Australia, having provided ages for >1200 samples. - Major Biosphere Events
The CAMECA 1300Hr3 provides C, O and S isotope measurements of that can be coupled with SHRIMP geochronological constraints to study the effect of major global geological events on the biosphere, i.e. glacial epochs, Large Igneous Province flood basalts eruptions and mass extinction events. - Biogeochemistry and Paleontology
C, O and S isotopes allow scientists to identify and study early Earth bacteria, stromatolites, and eukaryotic organisms. Similarly, these isotopes can be applied to the study of higher order life forms, such as foram, algae, vascular plants, molluscs, corals, arthropods, chordates (vertebrate teeth and bones). - Volcanology
CAMECA U-Th disequilibria ages allows us to the study the recent eruption history of active volcanoes and assess the eruption hazards of potential super-volcanoes. - Ore Deposit formation and evolution
Li, C, O, S and Pb isotopes are often used in research into ore localisation, ore sources, and ore remobilisation, and the CAMECA IMS 1300HR3 will aid ore deposit exploration by Australian and international mining companies. - Sedimentology
Constrain the early diagenetic history of sedimentary systems using stable isotopes of datable diagenetic minerals, such as xenotime and apatite. - Metamorphism and Crustal Fluid Flow
Prograde and retrograde metamorphic reactions, P-T-t loops, fault movement and deep crustal fluid circulation can all be tracked and modelled using stable isotopes. - Stable Isotope Technique Development
The effect of mineral chemistry, mineral structure, solids solutions, radiation damage and microstructural changes on stable isotope measurements can be jointly studied using the CAMECA 1300Hr3 and the Curtin Atom Probe. - Stable Isotope Reference Material Development
Micro-analytical stable isotope measurements requires Reference Materials (RM), and the LGIM Facility at Curtin has a collaborative agreement with CAMECA to characterise RM of accessory minerals for the geochemistry community. - Nuclear Forensics
Isotope imaging and ratio measurements of U enriched particles by CAMECA ion probes is one method used by the IAEA to provide information relevant to the global Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other treaties, which are aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
SHRIMP II
The SHRIMP II provides precise, accurate, high spatial resolution, uranium-thorium-lead geochronology of zircon, monazite, xenotime, titanite, allanite, columbite-tantalite, baddeleyite, rutile, cassiterite, opal, apatite, perovskite, gadolinite, chevkinite, ilmeno-rutile, uraninite and zirconolite.
Applications
The SHRIMP ion microprobes revolutionised geology. Just a few of the application areas are listed below.
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- Early Earth Evolution
SHRIMP U-Pb ages and Ti-in–zircon thermometry of Jack Hills and Mount Narryer zircon have provided constraints on the crystallisation environment of zircon from the earliest Hadean Earth. The oldest zircon on Earth was measured on the SHRIMP. - Reference Material Development
Micro-analytical geochronology requires Reference Materials (RM), and the LGIM Facility at Curtin is involved with characterisation of RM of accessory minerals for the geochemistry community. - Geologic Time Scale
The SHRIMP provides accurate geochronological constraints on major global geological events, i.e. correlation of glacial epochs, Large Igneous Province flood basalts and mass extinctions. - Meteorite Impact Structures
The Curtin SHRIMPs have been used in studies of lunar impact breccia, meteorite impact breccia and micro-spherule beds, providing a bombardment flux history and an understanding of impact processes. - Regional Mapping
The Curtin SHRIMP is essential to the mapping program of the Geological Survey of Western Australia, having provided ages for >1200 samples. - Sedimentology
The Curtin SHRIMP has provided detrital mineral populations statistics and xenotime and monazite ages constrain the early diagenetic history of sedimentary systems. - Metamorphism and Crustal Fluid Flow
Research on prograde and retrograde metamorphic reactions, P-T-t loops, fault movement and deep crustal fluid circulation all rely heavily on the Curtin SHRIMP. - Geochronology Technique Development
Curtin SHRIMP researchers study the effects of mineral chemistry, mineral structure, solids solutions, radiation damage and microstructural changes on secondary ion yields and SIMS results using the SHRIMP and Curtin Atom Probe. - Paleontology
SHRIMP age data constrains the ages of the earliest mega-fossils and stromatolites. - Ore Deposit Geochronology and Exploration
Research into ore localisation, ore sources, and ore remobilisation by UWA Centre for Exploration Targeting academics, as well as ore deposit exploration by Australian and international mining companies relies on the Curtin SHRIMP for geochronology. - Plate Tectonics Reconstruction and Crustal Evolution
Accurate SHRIMP age data on intrusive dikes swarms, gigantic flood basalt provinces and granite intrusion is essential for plate tectonic models of super continent formation and subduction related fold belts. - Extra-terrestrial Geochronology and Geochemistry
The age and effects of impacts, thermal history of Lunar samples from NASA and Martian meteorites have been studied on our SHRIMP. The oldest zircons of the Moon and Mars were dated in the SHRIMP Facility. - Igneous Petrology-Volcanology
SHRIMP U-Th disequilibria and trace element data allows us to the study the evolution of a magma chamber in young (younger than 1 Ma) volcanics.
Sample Prep Laboratory
Our prep lab provides fume hoods, ovens, Au/C/Al coating, an optical and reflected light microscope with a digital camera, a micro diamond saw, ultrasonic baths and sample polishing equipment.
Applications
The SHRIMP ion microprobes have revolutionised geology. Just a few of the application areas are listed below.
View all applications
- Early Earth Evolution
SHRIMP U-Pb ages and Ti-in–zircon thermometry of Jack Hills and Mount Narryer zircon have provided constraints on the crystallisation environment of zircon from the earliest Hadean Earth. The oldest zircon on Earth was measured in the SHRIMP Facility. - Standards Development
Micro-analytical techniques all require Reference Materials (RM), and the SHRIMP Facility at Curtin is involved with characterisation of RM of accessory minerals for the geochemistry community. - Geologic Time Scale
The SHRIMP provides accurate geochronological constraints on major global geological events, i.e. correlation of glacial epochs, Large Igneous Province flood basalts and mass extinctions. - Meteorite Impact Structures
The Curtin SHRIMPs have been used in studies of lunar impact breccia, meteorite impact breccia and micro-spherule beds, providing a bombardment flux history and an understanding of impact processes. - Regional Mapping
The Curtin SHRIMP Facility is essential to the mapping program of the Geological Survey of Western Australia, having provided ages for >1200 samples. - Sedimentology
The Curtin SHRIMP has provided detrital mineral populations statistics and xenotime and monazite ages constrain the early diagenetic history of sedimentary systems. - Metamorphism and Crustal Fluid Flow
Research on prograde and retrograde metamorphic reactions, P-T-t loops, fault movement and deep crustal fluid circulation all rely heavily on the Curtin SHRIMP facility, and it’s extensive collection of accessory mineral Reference Materials. - Geochronology Technique Development
Curtin SHRIMP researchers study the effects of mineral chemistry, mineral structure, solids solutions, radiation damage and microstructural changes on secondary ion yields and SIMS results. - Paleontology
SHRIMP age data constrains the ages of the earliest mega-fossils and stromatolites. - Ore Deposit Geochronology and Exploration
Research into ore localisation, ore sources, and ore remobilisation by UWA Centre for Exploration Targeting academics, as well as ore deposit exploration by Australian and international mining companies relies on the Curtin SHRIMP Facility. - Plate Tectonics Reconstruction and Crustal Evolution
Accurate SHRIMP age data on intrusive dikes swarms, gigantic flood basalt provinces and granite intrusion is essential for plate tectonic models of super continent formation and subduction related fold belts. - Extra-terrestrial Geochronology and Geochemistry
The age and effects of impacts, thermal history of Lunar samples from NASA and Martian meteorites have been studied on our SHRIMP. The oldest zircons of the Moon and Mars were dated in the SHRIMP Facility. - Igneous Petrology-Volcanology
SHRIMP U-Th disequilibria and trace element data allows us to the study the evolution of a magma chamber in young (younger than 1 Ma) volcanics.
Featured projects
Standards Development
Representative publications:
- Zircon M257 – a Homogeneous Natural Reference Material for the Ion Microprobe U-Pb Analysis of Zircon.
- Grenville skarn titanite: potential reference material for SIMS U–Th–Pb analysis.
- Eocene zircon reference material for microanalysis of U-Th-Pb isotopes and trace elements.
Metamorphism and Crustal Fluid Flow
Representative publications:
- How long-lived is ultrahigh temperature (UHT) metamorphism? Constraints from zircon and monazite geochronology in the Eastern Ghats orogenic belt, India.
- High-resolution geochemical record of fluid–rock interaction in a mid-crustal shear zone: a comparative study of major element and oxygen isotope transport in garnet.
- Deformed monazite yields high-temperature tectonic ages.
Plate Tectonics Reconstruction
Representative publications:
- Age and paleomagnetism of the 1210 Ma Gnowangerup–Fraser dyke swarm, Western Australia, and implications for late Mesoproterozoic paleogeography.
- Closure of the Clymene Ocean and formation of West Gondwana in the Cambrian: Evidence from the Sierras Australes of the southernmost Rio de la Plata craton, Argentina.
- Grenvillian continental collision in south China: New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon results and implications for the configuration of Rodinia.
- SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages for the Palaeoproterozoic Kuruman Iron Formation, Northern Cape Province, South Africa: evidence for simultaneous BIF deposition on Kaapvaal and Pilbara Cratons.