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Hi

Is anyone out there using a metal strip or graphite method to fuse small (maybe 100mg or 
so) amounts of rock powder without flux into a glassy bead which can then be mounted, 
cut, and polished for EPMA or LA-ICP-MS analysis?

I'm hoping to convert my (t)rusty old Edwards 306 vacuum coater into such a device but 
I'm trying to avoid reinventing too many wheels.

I remember seeing such a method setup at UC Davis about ten years ago but I haven't 
had any luck following that one up.

We actually want to use LA-ICP-MS so it seems to us that a graphite boat setup would be 
better from a contamination viewpoint than a metal strip.

Any references, tips, experiences etc would be most welcome.

cheers
Ritchie Sims
Geology
Auckland University
NZ