Ultratrace analysis of calcium with high isotopic selectivity by diode laser resonance ionization mass spectrometry

A resonance ionisation mass spectrometer for the ultratrace determination of calcium isotopes is presented. It achieves high overall efficiency, ultra-high isotopic abundance sensitivity of more than 1010 and complete suppression of isobars. The system can be used for isotope ratio studies on stable and long-lived trace isotopes with the final goal of radiodating via 41Ca-determination. For the different applications optical one-, two- or three-step resonance excitation and subsequent ionisation is applied using simple and inexpensive diodelasers. Additional mass analysis is accomplished in a commercial quadrupole mass spectrometer. The experimental set-up and first results on synthetical and meteorite samples are described.