Sensitive High-resolution Ion Microprobe - History and Scientific Impact

History and Scientific Impact

The SHRIMP originated in 1973 with a proposal by Prof. Bill Compston to build an ion microprobe at the Research School of Earth Sciences of the Australian National University that exceeded the sensitivity and resolution of ion probes available at the time in order to analyse individual mineral grains. Ion optic designer Steve Clement based the prototype instrument (now referred to as 'SHRIMP-I') on a design by Matsuda which minimised aberrations in transmitting ions through the various sectors. The instrument was built from 1975 and 1977 with testing and redesigning from 1978. The first successful geological applications occurred in 1980.

The first major scientific impact was the discovery of Hadean (>4000 million year old) zircon grains at Mt. Narryer in Western Australia and then later at the nearby Jack Hills. These results and the SHRIMP analytical method itself were initially questioned but subsequent conventional analysis confirmed the results. SHRIMP-I also pioneered ion microprobe studies of titanium, hafnium and sulfur isotopic systems.

Growing interest from commercial companies and other academic research groups, notably Prof. John de Laeter of Curtin University (Perth, Western Australia), led to the project in 1989 to build a commercial version of the instrument, the SHRIMP-II, in association with ANUTECH, the Australian National University's commercial arm. Refined ion optic designs in the mid-1990s prompted development and construction of the SHRIMP-RG (Reverse Geometry) with improved mass resolution. Further advances in design have also led to multiple ion collection systems, negative-ion stable isotope measurements and on-going work in developing a dedicated instrument for light stable isotopes.

Fifteen SHRIMP instruments have now been installed around the world and SHRIMP results have been reported in more than 2000 peer reviewed scientific papers. SHRIMP is an important tool for understanding early Earth history having analysed some of the oldest terrestrial material including the Acasta Gneiss and further extending the age of zircons from the Jack Hills. Other significant milestones include the first U/Pb ages for lunar zircon and Martian apatite dating. More recent uses include the determination of Ordovician sea surface temperature, the timing of snowball Earth events and development of stable isotope techniques.