Alphachron™

During the course of research on the 4D evolution of ore systems, the CSIRO DEM found the need to develop instrumentation for rapid and automated analysis of mineral samples, which became the Alphachron&trade. The Alphachron™ technology, based on an innovative helium extraction/measurement instrument, is being adopted by the market as a standard analytical platform allowing an accurate determination of the thermal history of the Earth's crust.

Up to 25 mineral samples can be loaded into the laser chamber of the Alphachron™ and heated (approximately 1000°C for apatite, and approximately 1250°C for zircon) under vacuum for five minutes with a 980nm diode laser. The extracted gas samples are analysed to determine their ⁴He content. The gas extraction process is repeated to ensure all the gas has been removed from the sample and in order to provide each sample with a blank. Mineral standards are analysed in each group of samples. Parent mineral concentration is subsequently determined by ICP-MS analysis of the sample.

• Advanced

  • Novel solid state laser heating of samples
  • Computer control of full measurement sequence
  • Based on R&D from CSIRO DEM and Paterson Instruments
  • Supported by ongoing R&D by CSIRO DEM, Patterson Instruments and ASI

• Automated

  • Full computer control for up to 25 samples
  • Automatic alignment of sample stage to fiducal marks
  • Automatic output of measurements via ActiveX calls to Microsoft Excel
  • Automatic detection and correction of laser flaring
  
  

• Accurate

  • High accuracy quadrupole mass spectrometer
  • Calibrated ⁴He sample and ³He spike
  • Automatic determination of system "blank" for each sample
  • Advanced engineering, electronics and service
  
  

• Flexible

  • Remote operation via the web
  • Automated, unattended operation
  • Option of quartz halogen or resistive furnace heating of bulk samples
  
  

• Applicable

  • 4D thermal evolution of mineral belts
  • Timing of maturation and thermal history of oil and gas basins
  • Geochronology of weathering and secondary ore deposits
  • Investigation of uplift and erosion history of continents
  
  

The instrument is prefabricated and ready for operation after delivery and minimal commissioning. The Alphachron is available with integrated laser diode heating and automated gas extraction and data processing. An optional quartz-halogen diffusion cell, under computer control, is available.