Introduction The application of non-traditional stable isotope systems such as Mg, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ni and Se in geochemistry, cosmochemistry and life sciences has been spurred by the advancement of the multi-collector ICP-MS (MC-ICPMS) over the last two decades. This versatile technique, although widely considered as the standard method for the high precision isotopic analysis of such systems, is limited by the inevitable molecular species generated by the ICP source resulting from ions such as Ar+, N+, O+ and H+. These species can often interfere directly with the atomic ions of the same nominal mass, leading to inaccurate isotope ratio determination. The ability to avoid unwanted interfering species in close proximity to the target ions on the mass focal plane is dependent on the mass resolution. Such interfering species are partially resolved by narrowing the source entrance slit to proportionally increase the mass resolution.

Nu Plasma 1700 is a unique High Resolution Multi Collector ICP-MS from Nu Instruments providing the ultimate in high resolution isotope ratio measurements. The instrument has been designed with a high dispersion and large geometry to provide a no compromise high resolution capability whilst still maintaining flat top peaks for high precision measurements with minimal loss in sensitivity.

Peak flat at 5,000 resolution 

The Nu Plasma 1700’s large geometry uniquely allows resolutions of >5,000 while maintaining peak flat. Each of its sixteen Faraday detectors and five full size discrete dynode multipliers have independent variable high-resolution slits allowing different resolutions on individual detectors. When the highest performing MC-ICP-MS is required, the Nu Plasma 1700 is the no compromise solution.

Sapphire 1700 combines the Plasma 1700 mass analyser with the dual transfer optics from the Sapphire, including a “high energy” ion path (traditional MC-ICP-MS) and a separate “low energy” ion path (collision/reaction cell), offering the benefits of collision/reaction cell without compromising performance on classical geological applications. The ‘dual path’ design allows the cell to be used to remove isobaric interferences for special applications, and fully bypassed when analyzing classical isotope systems that do not require removal of interferences.