Mass Spectrometry for Cosmic Samples

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Leco Pegasus IV GCxGC-TOFMS - mass spectrometric complete characterisation of very complexmixtures of organic materials. The Pegasus 4D GCxGC-TOFMS system, from Leco, provides the analyst with four dimensions of analytical resolution for significantly more complete sample analysis compared toconventional GC-Mass Spectrometry. The main advantages include:

1. The significantly increased sensitivityover the whole mass range (5-1000 amu)
2. The separation of compounds that co-elute on standard gas chromatograph systems
3. Separation of analytes by volatility and polarity enables traditionally unresolved mixtures to be examined in detail, and vastly increases the number of compounds identified
4. Greatly increased signal to noise ratio, due to compounds being separated from the column bleed of the first column on the second GC column and an enormous increase in the Spectral Generation Rate.

Thermo MAT 253 GC-IRMS -isotopic measurements of H, C or N on individual organic compounds in complex mixtures. One of only a few instruments of this type worldwide primarily dedicated to the analysis of extra-terrestrial materials. Supported by fully equipped sample preparation laboratories and GC-Mass Spectrometers required to develop the exact methodology necessary for optimal analysis of each sample. A number of different sample introduction injection and pyrolysis systems are available. Open University is one of the leading laboratories in the world for compound specific isotopic measurements of extra-terrestrial organics and this is one of a very few instruments of this type in the world largely dedicated to extra-terrestrial materials.

Ar/Ar Nu Instruments Noblesse is coupled with an ultra-low volume extraction line and with a choice of 213 nm UV laser or 1090 nm IR lasers, providing a wide range of analytical capability in Ar/Ar dating of lunar and meteorite samples. This instrument is unique with a mass resolution of 3000, and with the UV laser it has the capability to measure Ar isotope variation on a ca. 30 -micron resolution enabling detailed mapping of age and apparent age variation within minerals. The 1090 nm laser provides the capability to step-heat amall samples. The laboratory is fully supported by sample preparation facilities and technical expertise in lunar and meteorite Ar/Ar analysis.