The development of ICPMS technologies represents one of the most important and widely applicable analytical advances in the past two decades. Investigation of the fundamental processes occurring within inductively coupled plasmas and development of innovative and robust methodologies for both bulk and in situ analysis is one of our key research goals. We believe that some of our greatest strengths as a research group lie in the areas of low level Pb-isotope analysis by solution ICPMS and all foms of in situ analysis. Some of our recent contributions to ICPMS research are listed at the bottom of this page.

A great deal of effort over the past 10 years has focussed on the development of both laser ablation hardware (in collaboration with the Australian National University) and software. Our current ablation systems are characterised by rapid washout, efficient signal smoothing (when required), and the capability to measure large samples up to 10x10cm in size. The image below shows the Helex cell containing a large number of fossil teeth and bones, ready for reconnaissance ICPMS analysis prior to micro-drilling for U-series analysis.

Software has been developed allowing both complex paths and long analytical sessions to be digitised. The screen shot below shows the software in action for the samples shown in the cell above. A photo of the sample holder allows rapid location of any individual sample, prior to digitising using the high quality video output.

Considerable effort has also been invested in producing a generic software solution for reduction of laser ablation data. This software is available to the wider community as freeware. See our Iolite page for more details.

New methodologies:

Hellstrom, J., Paton, C., Woodhead, J and Hergt, J (2008) Iolite: software for spatially resolved LA-(quad and MC) ICPMS analysis. Mineralogical Association of Canada short course series 40 , 343-348.

Woodhead, J., Hergt, J., Shelley, M., Eggins, S & Kemp, R (2004) Zircon Hf-isotope analysis with an excimer laser, depth profiling, ablation of complex geometries, and concomitant age estimation. Chemical Geology 209, 121-135.

Woodhead, J., Swearer, S.,Hergt, J & Maas, R (2005) In situ Sr-isotope analysis of carbonates by LA-MC-ICP-MS: interference corrections, high spatial resolution and an example from otolith studies. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 20, 22-27

Paton, C., Woodhead, J.D., Hergt, J.M., Phillips, D., & Shee, S (2007) Strontium Isotope Analysis of Kimberlitic Groundmass Perovskite via LA-MC-ICP-MS Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 31, 321-330.

Paul, B., Woodhead, J. & Hergt, J (2005) Improved in situ analysis of low-Pb materials using LA-MC-ICP-MS with parallel ion counter and Faraday detection. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 20, 1350-1357.

Woodhead, J., Hellstrom, J., Hergt, J., Greig, A. & Maas, R (2007) Isotopic and elemental imaging of geological materials by laser ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectrometry. Journal of Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 31, 331-343.

Woodhead, J., Hellstrom, J., Paton, C., Hergt, J., Greig, A., and Maas, R (2008) A guide to depth profiling and imaging applications of ICPMS. Mineralogical Association of Canada short course series 40, 135-145.

Characterisation of reference materials for in situ analysis:

Woodhead, J. D. & Hergt, J.M. (2001). Strontium, neodymium and lead isotope analyses of NIST glass certified reference materials: SRM 610, 612, 614. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 25, 261-266

Woodhead, J.D. & Hergt, J.M (2005) A preliminary appraisal of seven natural zircon reference materials for in situ Hf-isotope determination. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research 29, 183-195.

Jochum, K-P., Pfänder, J., Woodhead, J.D., Willbold, M.,  Stoll, B., Herwig, K., Amini, M., Abouchami, W and Hofmann, A.W. (2005) MPI-DING glasses: New geological reference materials for in situ Pb isotope analysis. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 6, Q10008.

Jochum, K-P et al. (50 co-authors including Woodhead, J.D.) MPI-DING glasses for in-situ microanalysis: new reference values for elemental concentrations and isotope ratios. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, Q02008

Contact: Jon Woodhead (jdwood@unimelb.edu.au)