UTChron Laboratories

The UTChron Laboratory houses integrated facilities for (U-Th)/He and 4He/3He thermochronometry and  LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology REE analysis. The facility was established at the University of Texas in 2011.

The Stockli Research Group focuses on U-Pb and (U-Th)/He and 4He/3He thermochronology, accessory mineral U-Pb geochronology, combined U-Pb and trace element/REE split-stream LA-ICP-MS analysis, detrital zircon U-Pb-He double dating, applied to a diverse spectrum of tectonic studies (incl. continental extension, rifting, continental collisional tectonics), source to sink studies, and impact geochronology. We are also actively engaged in method development and calibration studies.

COVID-19 UPDATE: The UTChron laboratory was permitted to remain operational without students from March-June and with graduate student involvement since June. No visitors yet, but I am sure we can accommodate you. Stay safe and mask up!

For inquiries for collaborative research and analytical services, please contact Daniel Stockli.

Our Labs

(U-Th)/He and 4He/3He Lab

The (U-Th)/He and 4He/3He laboratory houses four state-of-the-art mass-spectrometric systems for measuring 4He and 4He/3He

LA-ICP-MS U-Pb and REE Lab

Our facility houses two Thermo Element2 HR-ICP-MS instruments in a dedicated and fully-renovated laboratory space with climate control, centrally-piped chilled water, and centrally-distributed Ar gas for ICP-MS operation.

Clean Lab

The UTChron (U-Th)/He laboratory houses a dedicated chemistry laboratory with fume hoods, laminar-flow workstations, acid distillation systems, water purification system, and sample drying environments.

Mineral Separation and Sample Prep Lab

UTChron and UT DGS also maintain a high-capacity mineral separation lab (crushers, grinders, water table, heavy liquid stations, and magnetic separators) and a microscopy sample preparation lab

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