Argus VI

Compact static vacuum mass spectrometer (SVMS) for isotopic analysis of noble gases, particularly argon. Features include a 13 cm, 90° extended geometry magnetic sector analyzer, advanced beam deflection technology, and Emission Suppression Technology (EST).

• Status: Active
• Country: Germany
• Isotopic: Yes
• Type of measurable elements: Noble gases
• Measurable isotopes/elements: 36Ar, 37Ar, 38Ar, 39Ar, 40Ar, other noble gas isotopes
• Analyzer type : Magnetic Sector MS
• Ion source type: Electron impact
• Inlet types: Two inlet ports with getters, micro ion gauges, and cold traps for sample preparation
• Mass range : 1 to 50 Daltons
• High Resolution : Yes
• Mass resolution/ Mass resolving power : Axial resolution ≥ 200 (10% peak valley definition)
• Multicollector : Yes
• Collectors qty : 5 fixed Faraday cups, optional compact discrete dynode (CDD) electron multiplier
• Sensitivity : Argon sensitivity: >1 × 10⁻³ Amps/Torr at 200 µA trap current
• Abundance sensitivity : ≤ 5 ppm for adjacent masses
• Dynamic range : 1 cps to ~1.4 × 10⁶ cps
• Detection limits : Sub-ppb levels for noble gases
• Precision : isotopic ratio precision ~0.1%
• Signal stability, relative standard deviation : ±50 ppm drift in mass over 30 minutes;
• Detector type : Faraday detectors and optional CDD electron multiplier
• Possible amplifiers : 10¹⁰, 10¹¹, 10¹², and 10¹³ Ω resistors
• Acceleration voltage : 4.5 kV
• Background : ≤ 5e-14 cc STP at mass 36
• Geometry type : Extended geometry
• Focusing type : Single focusing
• Magnetic sector radius/ angle : 13 cm radius; 90° deflection
• Cooling system : Dry-pumped backing line and water-cooled getter pumps
• Vacuum system : Ultra-high static vacuum system: 20 L/s ion pump, 80 L/s turbo pump, two-stage diaphragm pump
• Gas supply: Noble gases; requires high-purity helium, argon, neon, krypton, or xenon