Sapphire from Nu is a next generation Multi-Collector ICP-MS. The collision cell capable instrument builds on the field proven Nu Instruments Multi-Collector ICP-MS platform.

Collision Cell MC-ICP-MS

Low energy path with collision/reaction cell to remove interfering species for difficult applications
High energy path for classical MC-ICP-MS applications
Uncompromised isotope ratios

Sapphire from Nu is a next generation Multi-Collector ICP-MS. The collision cell capable instrument builds on the field proven Nu Instruments Multi-Collector ICP-MS platform (with over 170 installed instruments worldwide) to add unrivalled capabilities. The Sapphire features high and low energy switchable ion beam paths that enable the user to operate the instrument as a traditional Multi-Collector ICP-MS with no compromise in performance. In addition, the Sapphire can also be switched into Collision-Cell mode, where the ion beam is directed into a hexapole collision cell for the measurement of isotope systems where interferences cannot be resolved using high resolution, such as Calcium. Nu Instruments continue to lead innovation in Isotope Ratio analysis, with the Sapphire bringing additional capability to Multi-Collector ICP-MS allowing the measurement of even more isotope systems by this now well-established technique.

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Introduction to Sapphire

Product Overview +

The application of non-traditional stable isotope systems such as Mg, Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ni and Se in geochemistry, cosmochemistry and life sciences has been spurred by the advancement of the multi-collector ICP-MS (MC-ICPMS) over the last two decades. This versatile technique, although widely considered as the standard method for the high precision isotopic analysis of such systems, is limited by the molecular species generated by the argon ICP ion source which cause significant interferences on the mass spectrum of these elements. These molecular species can interfere directly with the atomic ions of the same nominal mass, leading to inaccurate isotope ratio determination. A typical solution is to use the high-resolution capabilities of MC-ICP-MS to resolve or partially resolve the isotopes of interest from their respective interferences, but at the cost of significantly reduced ion transmission. Furthermore, analysis of certain isotopes such as ⁴⁰Ca is not possible on the traditional MC-ICP-MS instruments, as the ⁴⁰Ar interference cannot be resolved.

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	Boron isotopes in carbonatites (MC-ICP-MS) Studies of the boron (B) isotope compositions of materials from a variety of geological backgrounds over the past years have highlighted the value of this isotope system to geochemical research. Keep Reading
	Isotopic evidence of unaccounted for iron and copper erythropoietic pathways (MC-ICP-MS) Although still at an early experimental stage, stable metal isotopes are receiving more attention for their potential use in biomedical research. Keep Reading
	Mercury isotopes used for contamination source identification (MC-ICP-MS) Mercury (Hg) is an element in the natural environment that poses considerable health risks to humans. Keep Reading
	Laser ablation split stream petrochronology (MC-ICP-MS) Petrochronology is the simultaneous use of geochronology and geochemistry to address geologic problems. Keep Reading
	Radium isotopes in seawater (MC-ICP-MS) In this study, 228Ra/226Ra with external reproducibility of 2% (2SD) have been achieved on Nu Plasma HR instrument on Geotraces seawater samples. Keep Reading
	Spatially resolved measurements of plutonium isotopes in environmental particle samples (MC-ICP-MS) The knowledge of chemical and isotopic compositions of nuclear materials, is of particular importance to nuclear forensics and nuclear safeguards. Keep Reading
	In-situ sulfur isotopic measurements of sulphide samples (MC-ICP-MS) Sulfur (S) isotopes are used as a key tracer for ore-forming material sources in geochemical processes. Keep Reading

Brochures +
- Sapphire Brochure
- Service & Upgrades Brochure
Whitepapers +
- Whitepaper - Who's next on the mass spec?
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Application Notes +
Application Reports
- SP01: Precise Calcium Isotope Determination with the Sapphire Dual-Path MC-ICP-MS
Calcium (Ca) isotopes in primitive meteorites and rocks from Earth, the Moon, and Mars can be used to provide information on early solar system processes and planetary differentiation.
- SP02: Highly Precise and Accurate Potassium Isotope Determination
Among moderately volatile and relatively abundant elements, only potassium (K) has more than one stable isotope (³⁹K and ⁴¹K), making it a good candidate for studying the history of volatile element depletion in the early Solar System.
- SP03: Highly Precise Vanadium Isotope Determination of Small Samples
Vanadium (V) isotope compositions of terrestrial samples have been widely used to constrain variations of redox conditions during many geological processes. V isotope measurements were carried out on the Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) in early studies with large uncertainties (>1%).
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ICP-MS

Sapphire

Sapphire from Nu is a next generation Multi-Collector ICP-MS. The collision cell capable instrument builds on the field proven Nu Instruments Multi-Collector ICP-MS platform.

Collision Cell MC-ICP-MS

Product Overview +

See what Plasma can do for you +

Brochures +

Whitepapers +

Application Notes +

Application Reports

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