Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
The Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) laboratory houses a Triton Thermo
Fisher TIMS that is used to measure precise isotopic compositions for the elements
Ca, K, Cr, Rb, Sr, Sm, Nd, and others. These isotopic ratio measurements are used
for planetary and protoplanetary studies in one of two ways: (1) to determine the
formation age and timing of any later processing event(s) recorded by astromaterials,
and (2) to identify subtle geochemical "fingerprints" in astromaterials that reveal
the source, evolution, and interaction among chemically distinct reservoirs for the
terrestrial planets and solar nebula.
A recent novel development is the detailed study of isotopic fractionation of middle
mass elements (for example, K and Ca), which have the potential to reveal distinct
physiochemical formation mechanisms for planetary and early Solar System materials.
Sample dissolution, isotopic spiking, and element purification is performed in the
Isotope Chemistry Laboratory.
Laboratory Leads
Justin Simon
NASA 281-244-6408 |
Rosalind Armytage
Jacobs JETS II 281-792-7771 |
Laboratory Leads
Justin Simon
NASA 281-244-6408 |
Rosalind Armytage
Jacobs JETS II 281-792-7771 |
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
Inside the TIMS laboratory: NASA scientists Rosalind Armytage and Justin Simon preparing Thermo Electron thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) for high precision isotope analysis.