Kim,

I had a laser cell built out of three ultratorr fittings: A 1" union and
two 1/16" stubs. The shop cut the 1" union in half (across the torso) and
welded a stainless steel bottom to it. This vessel was then bored through
on either side to accept the two 1/16 inch unions that were welded in
place. These were the 'in' and 'out' for the helium flow. The KCl window
was sealed between two O-rings. The trick was to 'flatten' the shoulder of
the ultratorr so that the inner o-ring would not collapse into the ultrtorr
when tightened. I think the windows were stock size?

It was pretty slick although not cheap (Thanks Fred!) and allowed for quick
sample replacement, had a low blank and sealed extremely well. Sample sizes
could be up to 2 centimeters.

Good luck,

Toti.



  At 08:22 PM 6/8/2005, Kim Baublys wrote:
>Isogeochemists,
>
>We are currently running a laser carbonate system (CF-IRMS with a 75watt
>CO2 Merchantek laser ).  We need to redesign the laser cell to be able to
>handle larger sample sizes.  We would like any information/advice on the
>properties and costs and people's experience with different cell windows
>and cell designs.  I've searched the archives and laser ablation of
>carbonates was last mentioned way back in 1995.
>
>
>Thanks
>Kim
>
>
>Kim Baublys
>Stable Isotope Laboratories
>Department Of Earth Sciences
>University of Queensland 4072
>Australia
>
>Ph:   +61 7 3365 1131
>Fax: +61 7 3365 1277
>http://www.uq.edu.au/geochem/

Toti Larson Ph.D.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Earth and Environmental Sciences                505.667.9894 (lab)
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545            550.667.8006 (office)