A new mass spectrometer and the associated analytical systems, called HIRU, was designed and constructed for the argon isotope analysis of minerals from young volcanic rocks as well as metamorphics and granitoids. HIRU is composed of a sample holder, an extraction oven, purification lines, standard gas lines, a mass spectrometer, and an ultra high vacuum pumping system. All the parts, except for the sample holder, were made of stainless steel and connected with ICF flanges using Cu gaskets or ultra high vacuum metal valves. The mass spectrometer is a 15cm sector type with an oblique incidence-single focusing system using an electron bombard ion source and three collectors which contain 8 (for ³⁶Ar), 6 (³⁸Ar) and 4 (⁴⁰Ar) stage secondary electron multipliers respectively.
Argon isotope analysis by HIRU is summarized and the precision and reliability of the new mass spectrometric system are discussed in this paper. A series of analysis for argon isotopes, such as taking a set of spectrum, the calculation of isotopic ratios, argon content, and ages is carried out with a computer-controlled system. HIRU has mde it possible to date geological materials with high sensitivity (eg. tens mg of mica of Cretaceous age), high precision (ca. 1% of error for argon content), reliability (possible for rocks older than 0.1 Ma), and convenience (eg. 5–6 samples can be dated per day).