Breakthrough of 2‐ to 3‐μm scale U–Pb zircon dating using Cameca IMS‐1280HR SIMS

A zircon U–Pb dating method with a high spatial resolution of 2‐ to 3‐μm was successfully implemented by using Cameca IMS‐1280HR SIMS in this study. Homemade cathode and modified intermediate pole were used to improve the intrinsic performance of duoplasmatron ion source. An O − primary beam with intensity of approximately 3 μA and stability of 0.68% over 40 minutes was achieved and could be used continuously for more than 240 hours under high...