Introduction to Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry in the Earth Sciences
01 to 05 September 2025
This short course is intended for PhD students and young researchers who have little or no experience in the field of SIMS technology. However, participants will be expected to be familiar with the basics of analytical geochemistry; a general familiarity with EPMA analyses is a prerequisite. Practical exercises involving the calculation of quantitative results from real measurement data will require a basic knowledge of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program. This course will provide initial contact with SIMS technology and is intended for all students and post-docs and other researchers who wish to use the Potsdam Cameca 1280-HR user facility. Other analytical geochemists with a general interest in SIMS technology are also welcome to sign-up for the course. Participants will be exposed to all basic aspects of SIMS: fundamentals of vacuum technology, theory of secondary ion generation and matrix effects, data assessment and realistic assessment of this technique's strengths and limitations. The course syllabus will be distributed at to all participants at the beginning of the course.
NOTE: Participants are required to bring their own laptop with them and should be able to process .xls, .pdf and .jpg files. Laptops must be capable of WLAN access, for which an individual user password will be issued.
Course Outline 2023:
| Monday, 01 September | Introduction to SIMS and microanalyses |
| 09:00 - 13:00 | Microanalytical methods |
| 13:45 - 16:30 | SIMS fundamentals and high vacuum systems |
| .... including | Short visit to the 1280-HR laboratory |
| Tuesday, 02 September | Trace Element Analyses |
| 09:00 - 13:00 | Analytical Strategies |
| 13:45 - 16:30 | Matrix effects and machine calibration |
| .... including | Visit to analytical laboratories at GFZ |
| Wednesday, 03 September | Isotope Ratio Determinations |
| 09:00 - 13:00 | Fundamentals of isotope ratio determinations |
| 13:45 - 16:30 | Statistical methods |
| .... including | data reduction exercises |
| Thursday, 04 September | Geochronology |
| 09:00 - 13:00 | U-Pb zircon analyses |
| 13:45 - 16:30 | Other mineral systems |
| .... including | Zircon data reduction & visit to SIMS lab |
| Friday, 05 September | Zircon Analyses, Depth Profiling and Imaging |
| 09:00 - 13:00 | Depth Profiling and Ion Imaging |
| 13:45 - 16:00 | Exam and final discussion |
Maximum Number of Participants: 30
Venue: GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Haus H ground level
Workshop leader: Dr. Michael Wiedenbeck
There will be no charges for course participation, however participants will be responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs while in Potsdam. Information concerning travel and accommodation in Potsdam is available under the travel section of the GFZ's SIMS Web Site (travel info).
People wishing to register their interest for the SIMS short course should please download the pdf file, complete it and then return it to the workshop leader: michael.wiedenbeck(at)gfz-potsdam.de .
