Continuous Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Step #1: Convert organic or inorganic samples into gas… d13C… CO2 d15N… N2 d2H… H2 d18O… CO d34S… SO2 GasBench (Thermo) Elemental Analyzer (Costech) Thermal Conversion EA (Thermo) Gas Chromatograph-Combustion
Conflo & Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers (IRMS) Thermo Scientific Conflo IV Interface (Continuous Flow) Dual Inlet (Non-Continuous Flow) OR Step #2: Introduce gas (e.g., CO2 or N2) into the IRMS… Thermo Scientific Delta V Plus Thermo Scientific MAT 253
Pure Gases via Dual Inlet IRMS Detector Voltage 3.52 5.58 Detector Voltage 5.58 10-8 mbar 35 mbar 55 mbar 55 mbar CO2 CO2 Changeover Valves CO2 CO2 CO2 Reference Gas Sample Variable Volume High Vacuum Pump Variable Volume
IRMS Universal Interface (ConFlo IV) SAMPLE REFERENCE High Flow (EA, TC/EA) Low Flow (GC-C) IRMS 10-6 mbars Reference 1 2 Helium Dilution Helium Dilution CO2 Detector Voltage 0.00 9.85 6.22 CO2
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer Electromagnet Next, the ions are accelerated toward an electromagnet through the flight tube. The electromagnet deflects the ions. ‘Light’ ions are deflected more than ‘heavy’ ions. First, gas molecules are turned into ions in the ion source. flight tube Finally, detectors count the number of ions for each mass. heavier ions lighter ions Ion+ Ion Source 12C18O16O mass 46 13C16O2 mass 45 12C16O2 mass 44 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Detectors 12C18O16O 13C16O2 12C16O2 m44 m45 m46 Gas
The Source: Ionization and Acceleration Electron Trap (0 to +40 V) Electrostatic Lenses Magnet Focuses Electron Beam N Electron Beam Gas Inlet Gas Ion+ Ion Beam Ionization Chamber (+3000 V) S Cathode (0 to 1.5 mA) Extraction (0 to -400 V) X-Focus (0 to -400 V) Slit X-Deflection (0 to +100 V) Y-Deflection (+200 to +500 V) Quadrupole Lens Electron Source Forms Ion Beam Focus Ions on Slit Guides Ions Toward Detectors Fine-Tune X and Y Focal Lengths
Ion Deflection (Electromagnet) Light Ion Electromagnet Heavy Ion S Magnetic Field N Flight Tube
Ion Detection (Faraday Cups) Ion Beam Detector Array M44 M28 M29/M45 M46 M30 M M+1 M-1 Detector Amplifier Voltage Frequency Converter Counter Focal Plane Secondary Electron Suppression Ground Faraday Cup + _ Electron Source current, mA e- Ion+