In situ sequential U–Pb age and Sm–Nd systematics measurements of natural LREE-enriched minerals using single laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

In the present work, we describe a sequential U–Pb and Sm–Nd systematics measurement from natural LREE-enriched minerals using Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS coupled with a 193 nm excimer laser in a single shot. MC-ICP-MS is equipped with an optical zoom lens to bring ion beams into the collector coincidently. The key features allow rapid switching between the U–Pb and Sm–Nd collector configurations, which are applied to simultaneously measure the U–Pb age and Sm–Nd isotope of common natural LREE-enriched minerals. The robustness and usefulness of the present protocol are investigated using a series of well-characterized mineral reference materials (i.e., monazite, titanite, perovskite) with known U–Pb and Sm–Nd isotopic values, which demonstrate its potential and versatility in geochemistry and cosmochemistry for microanalysis.