ANU SHRIMP

The ANU SHRIMP facility offers high-resolution ion microprobe analyses, allowing for precise measurements of stable isotopes, volatile elements, trace elements, and uranium-lead dating in solid materials.

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About

 

The RSES SHRIMP facility was established in 1974 to design and build a Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) for geoscience research. The facility has now developed into one of the leading secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) centres in the world, equipped with three SIMS instruments, staffed by experienced professional and academic staff, and supported by electronic and mechanical workshops, and an IT specialist. The SHRIMP facility is an NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy) facility supported by funding from the ANU, AuScope and the Australian Research Council. The facility provides its instruments and analytical techniques to researchers within Australia and aboard.

SHRIMP analyses elemental and isotopic compositions of solids on a 10 micron scale by sputtering the surface of the specimen (polished mount, thin sections) with a focused primary ion beam and analysing the ejected secondary ions. We research a wide range of topics and the following is a broad summary of the applications:

•stable isotopes (O, S, C, N, Cl, Mg, Ca) to understand past environments in geological and archeological materials
•volatile elements (C, H, S, N) to track geochemical cycles in planets
•trace elements for understanding rock histories and materials synthesis
•U-Pb for dating and understanding geologic histories.

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Access & Contacts

Information on how to contact us and get access to the facilities.

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Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

The RSES Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has cathodoluminescence (CL), backscattered electron imaging (BSE) and qualitative electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

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SHRIMP analysis types

Stable and radiogenic isotopes plus trace and volatile elements can be measured using SHRIMP. The ion abundances are converted into actual concentrations and isotopic ratios using calibration procedures.

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SHRIMP instruments

Three ion microprobes (SIMS) are located at ANU. SHRIMP SI is the newest instrument and is dedicated to light stable isotopes. SHRIMP II is a versatile instrument that was a prototype for similar instruments worldwide. SHRIMP RG uses a reverse geometry design and is intended for ultrahigh mass resolution.

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Sample preparation

Find out more about the sample preparation process.

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SHRIMP principles

SHRIMP is primarily a mass spectrometer and so its operation is determined by well-defined principles of mass spectrometry. However, the use of the instrument can be changed through different configurations, such as changing polarity and sources to maximize sensitivity for stable isotope emission.

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SHRIMP history

SHRIMP has revolutionized geochronology allowing in situ U-Th-Pb analyses of U-bearing minerals in their petrological context. More recently, it is becoming the go-to instrument for stable isotope and trace element abundance measurements. This section outlines the development of SHRIMP.

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Publications

For the latest publication list check the ResearcherID List.

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External Links

Useful SHRIMP links

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Articles

The timing and intensity of the seasons shapes life all around us, including tool use by birds, the evolutionary diversification of giraffes, and the behaviour of our close primate relatives.

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Researchers also investigated material from a meteor that fell to Australia on its own. Inside, they found ancient stardust — the oldest solid material ever discovered on Earth.

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People

Laboratory Manager
SHRIMP facility

-35.28454, 149.114287