Redetermination of the 21Ne relative abundance of the atmosphere, using a high resolution, multi-collector noble gas mass spectrometer (HELIX-MC Plus)

Abstract

Analyses of noble gas isotopes by high-resolution, multi-collector mass spectrometry have the potential to revolutionise applications in the cosmo-geo-sciences. The HELIX-MC Plus noble gas mass spectrometer installed at the Australian National University (ANU) is uniquely equipped with three high mass resolution collectors, which permits complete separation of 20Ne from doubly charged interfering 40Ar, 1H19F, 1H218O and partial separation of the 21Ne peak from interfering 20Ne1H. Because of the high mass resolving power, 21Ne can be measured, essentially without interference from 20Ne1H. This capability provides an important opportunity to re-evaluate the relative 21Ne abundance in the atmos..