Isotope Preparation Labs
Isotope Preparation Labs
The Isotope Preparation labs allow researchers to conduct processing and subsampling
activities on astromaterial samples prior to further processing in the Isotope Chemistry
lab or analysis using the LA-ICP-MS or LA-MC-ICP-MS. Contamination control is enacted
throughout the labs by a positive pressure cascade coupled with HEPA filtered air,
weekly surface cleaning and particle counting.
Isotope Sample Prep Laboratory
Initial sample handling of astromaterial samples are conducted in this Class 1000 space. Bulk materials can be crushed and ground in a variety of mortar and pestles dedicated for lunar, martian, low rare earth element achondrite, and chondritic samples and their components. Heavy liquid separation of different mineral phases is accomplished in a dedicated exhaust hood. Refractory and organic-rich samples are dissolved in mineral acids at elevated temperatures and pressures in oven-heated Parr pressure vessels. A pass-through window allows transfer of prepared materials directly into the Isotope Chemistry lab, which houses a number of better than Class 1000 work spaces.Isotope Microsampling Laboratory
Identification and targeting specific mineral phases utilizing petrographic and binocular microscopes is carried out in this better than Class 1000 space. Separation of different mineral phases is accomplished using various physical properties such as magnetic susceptibility (Frantz) and optical (hand-picking under a microscope) under laminar flow hoods. Further sub-sampling includes micro-drilling of astromaterials using a New Wave MicroMill microsampling device.The lab is equipped with a Bruker ContourX-100 3D Optical Profilometer, which can produce high-resolution 3D measurements of a sample surface, with a ~0.01 nm vertical resolution. Precise volume and depth measurements of laser ablation pits can be coupled to their corresponding in situ trace element & isotopic analyses, resulting in a powerful depth profiling tool for use in many astromaterials. This capability can also be applied to investigate the effects of other in situ methods (e.g., SIMS), as well as general sample surface mapping.
Laboratory Leads
Justin Simon
NASA 281-244-6408 |
Jacob Setera
Jacobs JETS II 281-483-4369 |
Laboratory Leads
Justin Simon
NASA 281-244-6408 |
Jacob Setera
Jacobs JETS II 281-483-4369 |
Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology (CICG)
Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology (CICG)
The Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology (CICG) led by Justin Simon
is based in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Directorate at NASA Johnson
Space Center. Our team measures a wide variety of elements and their isotopes to
understand the origin of our Solar System, the processes that transformed nebular
dust and gas into the building blocks of planets, and planet formation (accretion
& differentiation).
CICG Laboratories
CICG Laboratories
Isotope Preparation Laboratory