Mass Spectrometers

The CAIS uses the following types of mass spectrometers for isotopic abundance determinations:

Finnigan MAT 251 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer: For the determination of stable isotopic ratios of H, C, N, and O following off-line sample preparation.

Finnigan MAT 252 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer: For the determination of stable isotopic ratios of H, C, N, and O following off-line sample preparation; and stable isotopic ratios of C on individual compounds after gas chromatographic separation and combustion of complex organic mixtures.

Finnigan MAT Delta Plus XL Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer: For the determination of stable isotopic ratios of H, C, N, and O following separation and combustion/pyrolysis of complex organic mixtures and for the determination of stable isotopic ratios of H and O on bulk materials after thermal conversion/pyrolysis.

Agilent 6890/5972 Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer: For the qualitative and quantitative determination of organic compounds in complex mixtures.