Stanford Cosmogenic Isotope Lab

Overview of Services

The Cosmo Lab is equipped to handle many different types of Earth materials in the preparation, extraction, purification, and packing of cosmogenic isotopes for measurement at an accelerated mass spectrometer (AMS). We primarily prepare samples for ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al analysis, however, other isotopes (such as ⁷Be and ³⁶Cl) are also possible using the facility.

We have two separate lab spaces, one focused on sample cleaning and measurement of meteoric isotopes and the other on in-situ isotopes. Our laboratory is designed for the following procedures:

Leaching for meteoric ¹⁰Be/⁹Be, including:
Organically-bound
Exchangeable
Amorphous oxide-bound
Crystalline-bound
Quartz etching to remove meteoric beryllium for in-situ analysis
Aqua regia dissolution of accessory mineral grains
Fluoride caking
Dissolution of mineral grains in hydrofluoric acid
Ion exchange chromatography
Precipitation of BeO and Al₂O₃
Packing cathodes for AMS measurement

Leadership

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. https://cosmo.stanford.edu/

Contacts