In August 2023, the K-ALFAA received a next-generation high-resolution Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (NanoSIMS-HR) from CAMECA. The instrument was installed and then signed-off in November 2023. The instrument development and acquisition were funded through the University of Arizona, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Like currently available NanoSIMS instruments, the NanoSIMS-HR is optimized for advancing studies of astromaterials. The UArizona instrument includes the following off-the-shelf items: a magnetic field regulator (NMR H/D probe) for long-term stability even at low magnetic fields; RF O plasma source; duplicate control unit; and a multicollection system in which each of the seven trolley positions are equipped with one electron multiplier and one Faraday Cup all kept under vacuum. In addition, the instrument has upgraded electronics, sample handling system, optical microscope, analysis chamber, and sample stage. The most impressive features of the new instrument are the improved lateral resolution in Cs mode of better than 30 nm (~x2 better than currently available), improved mass resolution (~1.5x higher) through customized slits, and increased mapping capabilities (almost double the area mapped without imperfections).

The instrument is capable of isotopic imaging, spot analysis and depth profiling. The features of our NanoSIMS-HR were specifically designed and optimized for the analysis of fragile astromaterials displaying nm to um-scale chemical and isotopic heterogeneities. It is anticipated that the NanoSIMS-HR will be employed in studies including the identification and analysis of presolar grains; isotopic studies of CAIs and their rims; studies of the origin of water, nature of fluids, and organics in chondrite and chondrite-like matrices (e.g., Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx); volatiles in achondrites; chronological studies of astromaterials including terrestrial impact samples.

Elias Bloch, Lab Manager
Jessica Barnes, Instrument Scientist
Pierre Haenecour, Deputy Instrument Scientist