Exploration of a Combined LIBS and LA-ICP-MS Approach for Apatite Characterisation

A combined laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) method is demonstrated for comprehensive apatite analysis. These measurements provide elemental imaging that can be used as a screening technique for chemical selection of grains for subsequent analysis (e.g., U‐Pb geochronology) or can be used to understand elemental distributions within a single grain that would have direct textural‐chemical implications (e.g., zoning patterns). Adding LIBS as a simultaneous measurement, to LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb geochronology, allowed for the direct determination of F (H and O show promise for future applications) in addition to major and trace elements of interest. Here, the quantitative measurements were validated against a series of apatites with known values and used to characterise a wide range of samples. Fluorine detection limits were determined to be as low as 70 μg g^‐1 F (broadband CMOS detector) and 4.2 μg g^‐1 F (ICCD detector). U‐Pb age dating was simultaneously collected by LA‐ICP‐MS with the quantitative elemental data from LIBS, providing a comprehensive method for geochronology.. Authors: Quarles, Jr., C. Derrick [Elemental Scientific, Inc., Omaha, NE (United States)] (ORCID:0000000195910047); Manard, Benjamin T. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000207400627); Zirakparvar, N. Alex [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000337797730); Petrus, Joe [Elemental Scientific Lasers, Bozeman, MT (United States)]; Paul, Bence [Elemental Scientific Lasers, Bozeman, MT (United States)]. DOE Contract: AC05-00OR22725. Subjects: Apatite; Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS); elemental imaging; fluorine; laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS); quantitative analysis