PGE Anion Production from the Sputtering of Natural Insulating Samples: "Lessons in Ion Sourcery".

The goal of this research was to devise a new analytical technique, using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), to measure Platinum Group Element (PGE) concentrations to the sup-ppb levels in natural, insulating, samples.The third challenge, successful spectral analysis, was accomplished using a newly designed gas ionization detector which allowed for resolution of the interfering molecular fragment from the PGE ions. Coupled with the use of the SRIM computer programme, positive identification of all peaks in the spectra of the analyzed samples was accomplished.The challenges were threefold. First, a method of sputtering an insulating sample to successfully produce a stable beam of anions needed to be devised. Second, a suitable standard of known PGE concentrations had to be found and third, spectral analysis of the beam had to verify any claims of PGE abundance.The second challenge, that of finding a suitable standard, was fraught with difficulties, as no synthesized standards available were found to be appropriate for this work. As a result, direction is provided for future production of standards by ion implantation.The success of the first and third challenges lead to the qualitative analyses of geological samples for sub-ppb levels of PGE by AMS. Quantitative analyses await only for the appropriate standards and with those will come a whole new range of research possibilities for measuring sub-ppb levels of PGE in insulating samples by AMS.The first challenge was met by employing a modified high intensity negative ion source flooded with neutral caesium that successfully sputtered insulators to produce a beam of negative ions.