Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) has excellent inherent capabilities of very high mass resolution, sensitivity and speed in data collection that give it enormous potential in geochronology and other isotope geochemistry applications. A team of geoscientists at the State University of New York- Albany has recently installed a FTMS system purchased with NSF and SUNY funds on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis. This proposal requests funds to support a postdoctoral research associate for two years to aid in the development of FTMS applications for the geosciences. The research associate will focus during this period on optimizing the precision of isotope ratio measurements, including RF excitation sweep and mass fractionation effects, and on measurements of Pb/U ratios in zircons. The immediate goal of this project is to determine the applicability of the FTMS method for samples encountered in earth science research.
