NAUTILUS: a Research Facility on the Move

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and Single Stage Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (SSAMS) are two possible techniques used to determine the composition of a material sample. They have different advantages, such as raster SIMS providing high spatial (µm) and depth (nm) resolution and SSAMS having the capability to measure isotopes below part per trillion abundances. NAUTILUS (NAval Ultra-Trace Isotope Laboratory's Universal Spectrometer) combines the strengths of these techniques [1]. Initially developed, tested and used at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C., it was transferred to the University of Notre Dame in 2024, where it is awaiting reassembly.

NAUTILUS utilises a Cameca IMS 4f to take measurements of heterogeneous materials and an NEC SSAMS to filter out molecular isobars, allowing measurements with spatial resolution ranging from µm to hundreds of µm while also offering at least 10x sensitivity to trace elements compared to SIMS alone [1]. This talk will discuss NAUTILUS' capabilities, updates of its current status, planned measurements, and anticipated applications. Its designated location is about 600 yards from the Nuclear Science Lab at the University of Notre Dame, and full operations are expected to commence December 2026.