I am based at the University of New Mexico’s Center for Stable Isotopes (CSI), a shared facility for light-element isotope measurements serving Earth and planetary sciences, biology, anthropology, and chemistry. I trained here under Zachary Sharp, who introduced laser-based oxygen extraction from silicates in 1990 and now directs the CSI. The measurements my work relies on most, triple oxygen and chlorine isotopes, are made here, and the lab lets me build the extraction lines and furnaces those measurements need.

Capabilities

• Triple oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ¹⁷O) of silicates and oxides by laser fluorination, including a low-blank micro line for samples under 2 mg, with micromilling of individual components at 10 µm
• Chlorine isotopes, and hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotopes of bulk organic and inorganic materials
• Compound-specific δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ²H of amino acids and fatty acids
• Radiocarbon sample preparation, run with the Department of Anthropology
• Custom vacuum and 1-bar induction furnaces for evaporation, condensation, and degassing experiments

Most of the equipment between a sample and the mass spectrometer is built in house from glass, steel tubing, valves, and fittings, and the facility’s glassblowing shop keeps those lines adaptable as samples and questions change.