THE University of Western Australia is moving to the forefront of global imaging and analysis with the addition of a powerful and sensitive instrument that can search for evidence of the earliest life on Earth, help find new ore deposits, and detect weapons-grade uranium in minute dust particles.

The only microprobe of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only 15 worldwide, the new Cameca IMS 1280 ion microprobe joins its ‘little sister’, the Cameca NanoSIMS 50, at UWA.

The new UWA microprobe will open unseen vistas in a range of disciplines / Image: Istockphoto

UWA Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis Assistant Professor Dr John Cliff says the centre is the only facility in the world that houses both an IMS 1280 and a NanoSIMS 50, giving researchers a unique research capability.

“The two instruments are highly complementary because the NanoSIMS works at much finer spatial scales and the IMS 1280 has much better chemical sensitivity.

“We have already identified multiple projects in which different scientific information can be accessed from a single sample because of the complimentary nature of the instruments.”

The Ion Probe Facility, launched recently by the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, houses the two instruments, both of which are flagships of the $39 million national Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF).

The new spectrometer can also be used for identifying chemical signatures in mineral samples, studying ancient meteorites, detecting illicit nuclear weapons production and examining ancient fossils to understand the evolution of early life.

Senator Carr said he is optimistic the facility will lead to further collaborations with international researchers.

“This instrument is the only one in the southern hemisphere, giving Australian researchers and Australian industry a whole new level of access to what is truly cutting-edge technology.

“In fact, the new spectrometer is so special, it is likely to generate interest from overseas as well, and hopefully to inspire new international collaborations.”

The AMMRF says the strength of the Cameca IMS 1280 Ion Microprobe lies in the acquisition of in-situ, high-precision measurements of isotope ratios. This instrument uses a large-radius, double-focusing architecture to provide high sensitivity and high mass resolution simultaneously from spot sizes of less than 20 micrometres.

Prof Cliff says he is optimistic a growing number of collaborators will begin to access the Centre to use both instruments.

“Scientists as a whole are beginning to understand that to solve certain classes of problems, analyses at different spatial scales are required. 

“The IMS 1280 is already performing exploratory work that will help us understand early life on Earth, migration patterns of extinct animals, tectonics, sequestration of green house gasses, and the targeting new mineral resources. 

“In addition, we will begin to explore the use of the IMS 1280 for nuclear forensics purposes.  Our goal for the latter project is to become a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Network of Analytical Laboratories.” 

Comments (0)