Analysis of a rhenium-osmium solid-solution spike by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The rhenium-osmium decay scheme (187Re →187Os) offers a unique opportunity to investigate the genesis of, and directly date, ultramafic rock, sulphide and platinum ore deposits. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a viable method for Os isotopic analysis as it provides the high temperatures necessary to ionise Os. The sample can be introduced into the ICP mass spectrometer either by conventional nebulisation or by …