A modified single-shot laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (SS-LA-ICPMS) technique is presented that enables rapid
acquisition of in-situ U-Th/Pb dates on accessory minerals from a single
laser pulse. Advances over existing techniques include formulation of a
semi-automated data reduction method and robust error propagation. The
effects of pulse-to-pulse laser stability and analyte transport
configurations on the precision and accuracy of the analyses are
systematically assessed. The validity of the SS-LA-ICPMS approach is
demonstrated by repeat analyses of multiple zircon and monazite
reference materials, which consistently reproduce to within uncertainty
of accepted reference values. Application of the method to detrital
zircon and monazite samples with a wide range of ages and variable
parent and daughter nuclide concentrations results in U-Th/Pb age
spectra that are statistically indistinguishable from conventional laser
ablation protocols that employ continuous laser pulsing. The SS-LA-ICPMS
technique is minimally destructive, offers increased sample and grain
throughput and enables rapid dating of large numbers of grains-enabling,
e.g., to identify grains that are geologically significant yet rare. (c)
2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.