Fluid and melt inclusions

In collaboration with the Magmatic Petrology and Volcanology group, we work at the forefront of analytical development devoted to the quantitative chemical analysis of such inclusions. Our joined lab is equipped with the historic ETH-prototype Excimer ArF laser (193 nm) line, fully refurbished with a new laser source and optics allowing a controlled ablation of any matrix. The laser system is coupled to a recently acquired (2018) Perkin Elmer Nexion2000 fast-scanning quadrupole ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer).

We focus our efforts in improving the quantity and quality of the chemical information extractable from the analysis of fluid and melt inclusions. We constantly aim at lowering the absolute limits of detection for trace metals and their binding elements in geological fluids (S, Cl…), through the optimisation of sample preparation and measurement procedures. We also develop novel analytical and data processing protocols to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of chemical data from inclusions.

For these purposes, we explore the capabilities of the Nexion2000 quadrupole that we are the first to use in combination to laser ablation for such analyses. This instrument scans through an extensive list of elements quasi-simultaneously (>70 elements in <0.1 s), a major breakthrough for the analysis of fluid and melt inclusions. Indeed, this allows at the same time (i) a representative recording of the inherently transient signals released by the ablation of inclusions, even a few micrometers in size; and (ii) an extensive chemical characterisation thereof.

The same micro-analytical techniques are also used to determine the trace-element composition of the minerals themselves, in addition to a wide range of other applications in the geo- and material sciences.

The fluid and melt inclusion lab also comprises several heating-freezing stage for microthermometric measurements.