Parts & Upgrades

• Selected preamplifiers each can be fitted with two resistors of various sizes (10¹⁰Ω, 10¹¹Ω, 10¹²Ω), in order to enlarge the dynamic range of the chosen Faraday detectors
• The 10¹²Ω resistor is suitable for detecting smaller beams with a higher signal to noise ratio. The 10¹0Ω resistor is suitable for larger beams
• Fast switching between different resistor values using the software without breaking the pre-amplifier housing vacuum 

• Larger dynamic range
• Better gain stability
• Larger linear range
• Wider peak flat
• Longer lifetime

• Low sulphur gas panel and tubings are offered to significantly reduce the instrument sulphur background making it more suitable for low-level sulphur analysis
• Uncompromised analytical performance without any side effect on other isotope systems

• The compact 110 m3/h air-cooled Edwards nXLi110 dry pump improves pumping efficiency and generates ca. 10% sensitivity enhancement without elevating the oxide formation or inducing any non-linear mass bias behaviour.
• Reduces the frequency of preventative maintenance.
• Eliminates the formation of hydrocarbon molecules and therefore the background counts for actinides.

Ideal for U-Pb geochronology, low level B and Li isotope measurements

• Enhanced Sensitivity Interface.
• All new innovative torch box design allowing easy connection of a wide range of sample introduction devices.
• Robust water-cooled 3rd generation RF Generator with frequency tuning, delivers rapid response to changing matrix conditions Improved RF shielding
• Easy access to expansion chamber front plate for exchanging of cones
• Maximum stability and reliability

The fast magnet upgrade for Attom significantly improves the speed of analysis for all methods that require magnet field changes. For Hall probe controlled magnet jumping, jump times are now 1-2 ms/amu and hysteresis loops are 0.6-0.8 seconds (compared to the previous 15ms/amu and 6-8 seconds hysteresis loop). This means that a typical method cycle of 10 isotopes across the full mass range with 1 second of data acquisition at each mass would take 11.1 seconds compared to over 20 seconds previously. Similarly, for LinkScan analysis, the fast magnet controller has a new 200V LinkScan option which allows the collection of full mass spectra in both the up and down scan in 103ms compared to the previous 220ms.

The ES interface is designed to enhance the dry aerosol sensitivity of the Attom for laser ablation and desolvator applications. Improvements up to a factor of 3 have been reported (a) with no impact on the normal wet aerosol sample introduction performance. The interface also includes a screw-in locking ring mount for the sample cone which is more robust and easier to handle than the previous generation sample cone mount system.

(a) Pietruska and Neymark, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2017, 32, 1135-1154

The enhanced sensitivity upgrade on Astrum provides the same level of performance seen on typical VG9000 instruments for flat cell operation. This is achieved without compromising the discharge conditions which allow for matrix independent calibration factors to be used. The upgrade also includes the fixed source slit upgrade.

The fixed source slit upgrade provides multiple slits of the same size which can be selected independently as each is eroded by the ion beam. This extends the service time between replacements and therefore improves the operational uptime available for the Astrum.

The atmospheric liquid nitrogen system offers a lower consumption of liquid nitrogen (1.5 lph vs. >3 lph for a pressurized vessel) and reduced cost of ownership as regular safety inspections as not required as with a pressurized vessel.

The latest software and firmware enable improved efficiency with enhanced control features:

• Multi-language user interface, in English, Simplified Chinese and Japanese
• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Automated detector calibration
• Temperature controlled cryo-cooling