The UC Davis Interdisciplinary Center for Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS) is a facility for trace element and isotope analyses using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ICPMS is comprised of two laboratories:
Plant and Environmental Science Building (room 3223)
Our lab in PES 3223 houses our Quadrupole ICP-MS/Laser Ablation instrumentation. This equipment analyses samples in the form of an aerosol introduced into high temperature argon plasma by a carrier gas. The ions are extracted from the plasma into a high vacuum (~ 10-5 torr) region, focused by the ion lens system, then selected by the quadrupole and counted by the detector.
Earth and Physical Sciences Building (room 3236)
Our lab in EPS 3236 houses our Multiple Collection (MC) ICP-MS/Laser Ablation instrumentation. This equipment better constrains isotopic proportions in natural samples than quadrupole ICP-MS or single-collector HR-ICP-MS systems.
ICPMS is dedicated to precise and accurate determinations of inorganic trace element and isotope abundances in geological, biological, agricultural, nuclear, environmental and engineering materials aimed at understanding the composition, rates and pathways of chemical transport and evolution in natural and laboratory systems.
This analysis has applications in Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Material Science, Engineering, Anthropology, Archaeology, Medicine, Clinical, Health, Toxicity and Forensics – anywhere metals, elements or chemicals require analysis for research.
