Instrumentation in the Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry
The primary instruments in the Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry are two inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometers.
Our older instrument, commissioned in October
1988, is an Applied Research Labs Model 3520 inductively-coupled plasma atomic
emission spectrometer (ICP-AES).
ICP-AES spectroscopy is applicable to an
unusually wide range of elements, is extraordinarily free from multi-element
interferences, and has a linear working range for concentrations varying by
several orders of magnitude. The 3520 is a fixed-grating, sequential
spectrometer capable of quantitatively analyzing approximately six dozen
elements at sub-part-per-million levels and can perform duplicate analyses for
a dozen or more elements within less than five minutes. Since beginning
operation in October of 1988, the 3520 has been used for more than 10000
analyses of archaeological samples.
Our newest instrument, commissioned in 1999,
is a Finnegan MAT Element I high-resolution, magnetic sector, ICP-mass
spectrometer (ICP-MS).
The ELEMENT I HR-ICP-Mass
Spectrometer can perform interference-free elemental and isotopic analysis of
liquid samples down to the ppq (10 ^ -15 g/g) concentration range and isotopic
ultra trace analysis of solid samples. The ELEMENT is designed to address ICP-
MS applications which are insufficiently satisfied by ordinary ICP
instrumentation. Precise determination of isotopic ratios is made possible by
taking advantage of both the stability of the instrument and the trapezoidal
peak shape.
Direct elemental analysis of solids is
supported by the ELEMENT by coupling it to a Merchantek
LUV266 UV-Laser Microprobe.
The Merchantek EO Laser is a compact, solid
state Nd:YAG whose output is frequency quadrupled to 266nm in the deep
ultraviolet. All aspects of laser control, beam delivery, sample observation,
and sample manipulation are under full computer control. Laser beam spot size
can be varied between 5µm and 300µm under computer control,while maintaining
excellent pit morphology. Magnification of up to1000X permits direct video
viewing and targeting of features and particles as small as 5µm.
Other instrumentation available for use by the Laboratory for Archaeological Chemistry includes equipment for electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and light and heavy mass spectrometers. These instruments are located in the Department of Geological Science and other departments on the University of Wisconsin Madison campus, and are accessible for our use.
This page maintained by J. Burton <jhburton@facstaff.wisc.edu>, last updated September 2003.