The Canadian Centre for Isotopic Microanalysis (CCIM) is dedicated to natural resources research. This facility will apply in-situ microanalyses of light stable isotopes (H, Li, B, C, N, O, S, Mg, Si, S, Cl), radioactive and radiogenic isotopes (U, Th, Pb), and trace elements (e.g., rare earth elements) to studies of natural resource exploration and extraction as well as their associated environmental impacts. The CCIM will be established based on a $13 million grant provided by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Alberta Science and Research Investments Program (ASRIP), the University of Alberta, and various industry sources.

The flagship instrument of the CCIM will be a Cameca IMS 1280 (left), a device often referred to as an ion microprobe employing an analytical technique termed secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The IMS 1280 is a state-of-the-art ion microprobe that incorporates an array of ion detectors ('multicollector') to improve performance, i.e., MC-SIMS. This instrument will allow the analysis of both natural and synthetic solid samples at a spatial resolution of ~1-30 microns (10^-6 m), and depth resolution of ~10 nm (10^-9 m). Types of analyses include single spots, line profiles, and ion images, usually obtained within minutes. During SIMS, the primary probe, comprising Cs+ or O- ions focussed on the target, excavates and ionizes tiny amounts of the sample's atoms and molecules. These secondary ions are subsequently extracted into a mass spectrometer to determine their mass/charge ratios and relative abundances to a precision as good as +/-0.01%.

The CCIM will allow researchers within Canada and elsewhere to study the microchemistry of geological, biological, and synthetic materials, significantly extending the sampling scale achievable with bulk or laser probe techniques. Researchers will use the new facility to understand, for example, the precipitation of mineral cements that inhibit fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs, the origin of diamonds, the paleoclimate record preserved within cave deposits and coral, and the Earth's ancient geological history through examination of minerals such as zircon.

For characterization of samples in 2D prior to analysis, the CCIM will also house two new Zeiss EVO 15 scanning electron microscopes equipped with an Oxford Instruments Inca EDS/EBSD system and Gatan Chroma cathodoluminescence (CL) detectors. The CL patterns of minerals are particuraly useful for mapping their overall compositional and structural heterogeneity prior to ion probe analysis. For 3D characterization of some samples, the CCIM will also house an X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner (Skyscan 1172 with four node computer cluster). For the establishment of stable isotope reference materials, the capabilities of the stable isotope laboratory have been extended by the addition of a laser fluorination line with a New Wave MIR 10-30 laser fusing system. Other isotopic reference materials will be characterized in the Department's radiogenic isotope facility. Major and minor element characterization will utilize the electron microprobe laboratory. Support workshop facilities for the CCIM include an upgraded sample preparation laboratory and electronics and machine shops. The CCIM facility is located within the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science (CCIS, Phase I) at the University of Alberta.

Micro-CT Skyscan 1172

SEM Zeiss EVO 15

MIR 10-30 Laser Fusing and Heating System by New Wave Research