Mass spectrometric analysis of nanogram levels of ruthenium

Previous investigations have demonstrated the possibility of using ruthenium originating from the spontaneous fission of 238U for geochronological purposes. Because the abundance of ruthenium is low in geologic specimens and isotopic data are required, an indepth study of the production of steady mass spectrometer ion beams from nanogram amounts of ruthenium was undertaken. The results of this continuing mass spectrometric investigation are presented with some illustrative data