Glass Reference Materials Research Articles

Sources of Li isotope bias during SIMS analysis of standard glasses

The 7Li/6Li ratios in fourteen USGS, MPI-DING, and NIST glass reference materials (RMs) were analyzed by LG-SIMS to assess compositional matrix effects, evaluate RM δ7Li homogeneity, and calculate the useful yield of lithium in silicate glasses. The analyzed RMs cover a range of SiO2 contents from 45.5 to 75.6% (komatiite to rhyolite), the largest compositional range yet evaluated for δ7Li matrix effects. We observe a matrix-induced bias (matrix effect) of up to 18‰ over the studied range that has a negative linear correlation with SiO2 content, demonstrating that SiO2 content is a critical factor that must be considered when using silicate glasses to standardize for silicate samples of unknown δ7Li composition. All RMs were found to be sufficiently reproducible to aid in standardization of variable SiO2 contents and appear isotopically homogeneous at the precision of our measurements. Lithium ionizes very efficiently in these RMs, with measurable yields >5% in all fused-rock RMs and > 15% in low SiO2 fused-rock RMs measured at high beam intensities. Fused-rock RMs ionize lithium 2-3× more efficiently than synthetic glass RMs, which may be related to differences in major oxide chemistry and the reduced nature of the synthetic glasses relative to their fused counterparts.

Calibration methods for laser ablation Rb–Sr geochronology: comparisons and recommendation based on NIST glass and natural reference materials

Abstract. In situ rubidium–strontium (Rb–Sr) geochronology, using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–tandem mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS/MS) technology, allows rapid dating of K-rich minerals such as micas (e.g. biotite, muscovite, and phlogopite) and K-feldspar (potassium-containing feldspar). While many studies have demonstrated the ability of the method, analytical protocols vary significantly, and to date, no studies have provided an in-depth comparison and synthesis in terms of precision and accuracy. Here we compare four calibration protocols based on commonly used reference materials (RMs) for Rb–Sr dating. We demonstrate that downhole fractionation trends (DHFs) for natural biotite, K-feldspar, and phlogopite contrast with that for the commonly used Mica-Mg nano powder reference material. Consequently, Rb–Sr dates calibrated to Mica-Mg can be up to 5 % inaccurate, and the degree of inaccuracy appears to be unsystematic between analytical sessions. Calibrating to Mica-Mg also introduces excess uncertainty that can be avoided with a more consistent primary calibration material. We propose a calibration approach involving (1) NIST-610 glass as the primary reference material (PRM) for normalisation and drift correction and (2) a natural mineral with similar DHF characteristics to the analysed samples as matrix correction RM (MCRM) to correct the Rb/Sr ratio for matrix-induced offsets. In this work, MDC phlogopite (the source mineral for Mica-Mg nano powder) was used as the MCRM, consistently producing accurate Rb–Sr dates for a series of natural biotites and K-feldspars with well-characterised expected ages. Biotite from the Banalasta Adamellite, Taratap Granodiorite, and Entire Creek pegmatite are also suitable RMs for Rb/Sr ratio calibration purposes, with consistently <1.5 % fully propagated uncertainties in our methodological approach. Until calibration using isochronous natural standards as the primary RM becomes possible in data reduction software, the two-step calibration approach described here is recommended.

Development of in situ Li isotope analysis using laser ablation quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

RationaleLithium isotope geochemistry is an important tool in the studies of Earth and planetary materials. In situ Li isotope analyses are typically performed using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) or laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐MC‐ICPMS), but these instruments are not widely accessible. Here, the capability of laser ablation quadrupole ICPMS for conducting Li isotopic analyses is evaluated.MethodsAn array of MPI‐DING and USGS silicate glass reference materials was analyzed repeatedly over the course of 6 months. These materials range from komatiite to rhyolite in terms of silica content (45.5–75.6 wt%) with 9–45 ppm Li. Their Li isotope compositions have been previously characterized so that matrix effects could be tested with these reference materials. Analyses were conducted using an NWR193 laser ablation system coupled to an Agilent 7900 ICPMS system.ResultsAnalytical precision is primarily limited by Li concentration in the samples. For samples with ~9 ppm Li, the internal precision is 6‰ (2 SD, 150 μm spot diameter), whereas that for a sample with ~45 ppm Li is 4‰ (2 SD, 120 μm spot diameter). The technique is somewhat sensitive to sample matrix: samples with SiO2 content that deviates from the bracketing standard display fractionated δ7Li, necessitating correction using a session‐specific matrix correction curve.ConclusionLithium isotope analysis by ns‐LA‐QICPMS is worthwhile for samples with high Li concentrations and when a matrix‐matched standard can be obtained. Although the precision of this method is not as high as those achievable with SIMS and LA‐MC‐ICPMS, it remains adequate for resolving large isotope fractionations found in natural and laboratory settings.

New Reference Materials, Analytical Procedures and Data Reduction Strategies for Sr Isotope Measurements in Geological Materials by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS

Laser ablation multi‐collector mass spectrometry (LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS) has emerged as the technique of choice for in situ measurements of Sr isotopes in geological minerals. However, the method poses analytical challenges and there is no widely adopted standardised approach to collecting these data or correcting the numerous potential isobaric inferences. Here, we outline practical analytical procedures and data reduction strategies to help establish a consistent framework for collecting and correcting Sr isotope measurements in geological materials by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS. We characterise a new set of plagioclase reference materials, which are available for distribution to the community, and present a new data reduction scheme for the Iolite software package to correct isobaric interferences for different materials and analytical conditions. Our tests show that a combination of Kr‐baseline subtraction, Rb‐peak‐stripping using βRb derived from a bracketing glass reference material, and a CaCa or CaAr correction for plagioclase and CaCa or CaAr + REE2+ correction for rock glasses, yields the most accurate and precise 87Sr/86Sr measurements for these materials. Using the analytical and correction procedures outlined herein, spot analyses using a beam diameter of 100 μm or rastering with a 50–65 μm diameter beam can readily achieve < 100 ppm 2SE repeatability ("internal") precision for 87Sr/86Sr measurements for materials with < 1000 μg g‐1 Sr.

CONFOCAL X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FORMED FROM HOMOGENEOUS LAYERS: COMPARISON OF SIMULATIONS WITH EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS

Confocal X-ray fluorescence analysis is a non-destructive method that enables the determination of the elements depth distribution in the examined sample. Accurate determination of the elements depth distributions in various samples from measured depth profiles is very demanding, and generally, a valid procedure has not been developed as yet. The main aim of this work was to design and test a universal simplified calculation procedure, which would allow the calculation of the approximate shape of the depth profiles for a sample formed from layers of a given thickness and composition. To confirm the proposed calculation method, the standard reference material NIST 1412 was used, which is formed by a homogeneous multicomponent glass containing oxides of several measurable elements. This research compares the results of the measured and calculated depth profiles in the glass reference material, where the resulting depth curves correspond almost perfectly.

Chemical and Isotopic Evaluation of a Microsampling Method using Laser Ablation and Membrane Filter

Microscale isotopic measurements in geological materials are becoming of significant importance in geochemistry. This study evaluated the potential of a new microsampling method called laser ablation coupled with filter (LAF) for precise isotopic measurements of small‐sized geological materials, compared with conventional micromilling techniques. We optimised the system to maximise the sample collection rate and minimise the extent of the contamination. Isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr, 142Nd/144Nd, 143Nd/144Nd, 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb) of the glass reference material NIST SRM 610 collected using LAF were measured by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry, and no isotopic fractionation or blank effect was observed. This indicates that LAF can be applied for high‐precision isotope ratio measurement of these elements. Considering the total procedural blanks in LAF sampling, the minimum amounts required for high‐precision isotope measurement were 50, 2 and 20 ng for Sr, Nd and Pb, respectively. The LAF method has advantages over the conventional method. It also causes less damage in the test sample’s depth direction and can be applied to samples with complex shapes. It is expected therefore that the LAF sampling method will be applied to geology and other research fields that require microsampling.

Analysis of the CHARM Cu‐alloy reference materials using excimer ns‐LA‐ICP‐MS: Assessment of matrix effects and applicability to artefact provenancing

AbstractExcimer nano‐second laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ns‐LA‐ICP‐MS) is an important tool in chemical characterization of Cu alloys. However, variable matrix‐induced elemental fractionation in Cu alloys poses a significant challenge. We systematically investigate this issue by analysing the Cultural Heritage Alloy Reference Material Set (CHARM) of Cu alloy targets. The extent to which silicate glass reference materials can be used when analysing Cu alloy targets is determined, as is the optimal internal standard, for a wide range of Cu alloy compositions. Analyses were further optimized by quantitative assessments of the use of CHARM end‐member materials as external standards for other CHARM Cu alloy targets. The variable magnitude of the observed matrix effects is most readily explained by variations in Cu/Zn ratios and resulting differences in melting and boiling points, compared with external reference materials, making the Zn‐rich Cu alloy targets most prone to matrix effects. With the correct choice of an external matrix‐matched standard (Pb‐rich CHARM reference material 32X LB14F) and internal element standardization, an accuracy of < 20% can be achieved for virtually all elements of interest in brass and bronze artefacts, which is a significant improvement compared with the use of glass external reference materials.

Rhyolitic and basaltic reference materials for TC/EA analysis: Investigation of water extraction and D/H ratios

Increasingly, water and D/H ratios of silicic and basaltic glasses are used to investigate magmatic degassing and secondary hydration, as well as for study these parameters in the mantle and crustal magmas. The advent of the High Temperature Conversion Element Analyzer (TC/EA) continuous flow mass spectrometry made the determination of hydrogen isotopes relatively quick and precise (±0.04 wt% H2O and 1–3‰ δ2H). Many labs around the world have such systems, thus there is a need to develop both silicic and basaltic volcanic glass reference materials (RMs) that can be used for interlaboratory comparison by bulk and microanalytical methods. Here, we report results of such investigation run against solid RMs (USGS micas) and water RMs (including VSMOW) in three different labs and describe analytical protocols. We report on the effects of glass size fraction, the mass of aliquots measured, and yield dependency for two glasses: UOR (drill cutting of IDDP-1 rhyolite, Iceland) and UOB (an E-MORB basalt from the East Pacific Rise). Proposed RM values are:UOB rhyolitic glass (n = 31):H2O=1.84±0.06wt%1s.d.,andδ2H=−115.5±2.6‰1s.d..UOB basaltic glass (n = 60):H2O=0.37±0.03wt%1s.d.,andδ2H=−82.1±5.7‰1s.d..Glass reference materials are available in 100 mg quantities from the Stable Isotope Laboratory at the University of Oregon for a nominal fee.

Separation and determination of sulfide sulfur and sulfate sulfur in soda lime silicate glass

The quantities of sulfide sulfur and sulfate sulfur and the average valence of sulfur in soda lime silicate glass are important because they affect the number of bubble defects and color of the glass. In this paper, we describe and demonstrate a new determination method of sulfide and sulfate in glass. This method consists of decomposition of a glass material and the separation and determination of sulfide and sulfate. Hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid decompose the material in a vessel. The vessel is combined with a series of traps. Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide in the traps absorb hydrogen sulfide that volatilizes during decomposition. This method allows for the determination of sulfate remaining in the vessel and the trapped sulfide, respectively. The method is tested on two glass reference materials with commonly accepted testing equipment. The sums of sulfide and sulfate are within the range of each certified value. The average valences of sulfur, which are calculated from the quantities of sulfide and sulfate, are in good agreement with the average valences of sulfur obtained by wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis.

A Method for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Measurement of Lithium Isotopes in Garnet: The Utility of Glass Reference Materials

We present a novel method for the measurement of lithium isotopes in garnet utilising glass reference materials and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Measured lithium isotopic compositions of natural garnets are heterogeneous, making them unreliable reference materials for in situ determination. However, SIMS lithium isotope measurements of glasses derived from these natural garnets are isotopically identical to their parent garnets and more homogeneous, demonstrating that they can be used as reliable reference materials. To characterise the composition dependence of instrumental mass fractionation (IMF), oxide and silicate powders were used to synthesise custom‐made glass reference materials (CGRMs) with garnet‐equivalent compositions. Results for six CGRMs measured by SIMS show a significant linear relationship between IMF and FeO and MnO contents. Corrections for this compositional IMF result in changes of up to 12‰ within the compositional range explored. Uncertainty in IMF‐corrected SIMS analyses with a 20 μm spot is in the range of 2.5 to 4.5‰, depending on the garnet composition and reference materials used. The method for in situ lithium isotope measurement in garnet by SIMS presented here is highly adaptable, valid across a range of Al‐rich garnet compositions, and yields spatial resolution and precision necessary to address a range of geological applications.

Development of quartz glass as a certified reference material for thermal diffusivity measurements

Thermal diffusivity is an important property that is essential for thermal designs and simulations. Reliable thermal diffusivity values are required to obtain more accurate thermal simulation results and improve thermal designs. In order to obtain reliable thermal diffusivity values, a well-validated thermal diffusivity measurement apparatus is necessary. The measurement apparatus is generally validated by certified reference materials. To validate the thermal diffusivity measurement apparatus in the thermal diffusivity measurement range of 1.0 × 10−7 m2 s−1 to 1.0 × 10−6 m2 s−1, a quartz glass reference material, which exhibited a low thermal diffusivity order was raised. A large batch of the quartz glass specimens was characterized for the certified thermal diffusivity values from room temperature (300 K) to 800 K. The large batch was also subjected to inhomogeneity and stability evaluations. The detailed characterisation ensured the traceability of the thermal diffusivity results to the International System of Units (SI). In addition, uncertainty was evaluated according to the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. The developed quartz glass certified reference material has been in supply as CRM5809-a since 2020.

An Improved Electron Microprobe Method for the Analysis of Halogens in Natural Silicate Glasses.

We present a new analytical method, which allows the simultaneous analysis of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), and iodine (I) in geological samples. To account for interferences of Fe on the spectral lines of F, of Al on Br-lines, and of Ca on I-lines, we prepared four new halogen-free calibration glasses. The new method is used to analyze various glass reference materials and crystal-hosted melt inclusions from the Azores. Our results show that our new method allows reliable and reproducible analyses of all four halogens in silicate glasses.

Best Practices for Determination of Initial 10Be/9Be in Early Solar System Materials by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

Beryllium‐10 (t1/2 = 1.4 Ma) is a short‐lived radionuclide present in the early Solar System. It is produced solely by irradiation reactions and can provide constraints on the astrophysical environment of the Sun’s formation. Calcium‐ and aluminium‐rich inclusions (CAIs), the first solids formed in the Solar System, show clear evidence for live 10Be at their time of formation, but it is unclear whether they record the same initial 10Be/9Be ratio. In this study, we examine the secondary ion mass spectrometry methods used to determine the initial 10Be/9Be ratio in meteoritic inclusions. Based on analyses of synthesised matrix‐matched glass reference materials, we show that the effects of differing major element bulk compositions on the secondary ion yields of Be and B are minor for relevant phases. We demonstrate the importance of using the mean square weighted deviation (MSWD) to interpret the significance of the initial 10Be/9Be value. For thirty‐two CAIs, we re‐calculated the regressions using literature data, finding that several have unacceptably high MSWD. We calculate the effects of possible sources of isotopic disturbance. Finally, we outline best practices for reporting 10Be–10B data, to enable a more refined determination of the initial 10Be/9Be ratio in the early Solar System.

High‐Precision Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb Isotopic Composition of Chinese Geological Standard Glass Reference Materials CGSG‐1, CGSG‐2, CGSG‐4 and CGSG‐5 by MC‐ICP‐MS and TIMS

To assess the homogeneity of and provide the first Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb isotopic reference values for the Chinese Geological Standard Glasses CGSG‐1, CGSG‐2, CGSG‐4 and CGSG‐5, we measured these isotopes in several measurement sessions over the course of nearly 3 years. The results were obtained by high‐precision MC‐ICP‐MS and TIMS. Our investigation indicates that these CGSG glass reference materials are homogenous with regard to Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb isotopic distribution and are therefore suitable geochemical materials for Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb isotope measurements. Clear differences in Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb isotopic composition were observed between the glasses and the original powdered rock reference materials (CGSG‐2 and GSR‐7, and especially CGSG‐5 and GSR‐2) because of flux addition during preparation of the glasses. The new Sr‐Nd‐Hf‐Pb isotope data provided here might be useful to the geochemical community for in situ and bulk analysis.

Nanosecond Laser Ablation-Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry for in Situ Fe Isotopic Analysis of Micrometeorites: Application to Micrometer-Sized Glassy Cosmic Spherules.

This work evaluates the use of nanosecond laser ablation-multicollector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ns-LA-MC-ICP-MS) for Fe isotopic analysis of glassy cosmic spherules. Several protocols for data acquisition from the transient signals were compared, with the integration method, i.e., isotope ratios obtained by dividing the corresponding signal intensities integrated over the selected signal segment, providing the best precision. The bias caused by instrumental mass discrimination was corrected for by a combination of internal correction using Ni as an internal standard (coming from a conebulized standard solution) and external correction using a matrix-matched standard. Laser spot size and repetition rate were adapted to match the signal intensities for sample and standard within ±10%. For in situ isotopic analysis, the precision of the δ56Fe values ranged between 0.02 and 0.11‰ (1 SD, based on 4 measurement sessions, each based on ablation along 5 lines for 30 s each) and 0.03-0.17‰ (SD, based on 3 measurement sessions) for glass reference materials and micrometeorites, respectively. Despite this excellent reproducibility, the variation of the isotope ratios along a single ablation line indicated isotopic inhomogeneity exceeding 1‰ in some micrometeorites. Isotopic analysis via pneumatic nebulization MC-ICP-MS, after sample digestion and chromatographic Fe isolation, was performed to validate the results obtained by in situ isotopic analysis, and good agreement was achieved between the δ-values obtained via both approaches and with those reported in literature for MPI-DING and USGS glass reference materials. Also for the glassy cosmic spherules, overall, there was a good match between the ns-LA-MC-ICP-MS and solution MC-ICP-MS results.

Iolite Based Bulk Normalization as 100% (m/m) Quantification Strategy for Reduction of Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Transient Signal

Abstract Iolite package draw more attention in laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) community in recent years due to its powerful data-handling capacity, excellent signal visualization and open source of calculation codes. In this study, the application of Iolite package was investigated for LA-ICP-MS elemental quantification, and a calculation code for the bulk normalization as 100% (m/m) strategy was compiled. We found that the spline interpolation approach was better than that of linear one for the correction of time-dependent instrument drift. BCR-2G as the quality material was used to assess the proposed code, and the results revealed that the code was practical and reliable. The analytical accuracy was influenced by the used calibration materials. TiO2, MgO, K2O and rare earth elements in BCR-2G were slightly off (5%–10%) when NIST SRM 610 as the calibrator. Cr and Mo were higher (10%–30%) than the recommended values when StHs6/80-G was used as the calibrator. The phenomena would be attributed to the matrix effect or the inaccurate values of corresponding calibrators. Three main sources for the LA-ICP-MS combined uncertainty were recognized, including the uncertainty of recommended values of analytes in calibration material, the uncertainty of measured intensity ratios in sample and the error in bulk normalization as 100% (m/m) strategy. A total of 50 elements in CGSG glass reference materials were quantified based on the proposed Iolite code. Major elements (except MnO, CaO and P2O5) matched well with the recommended values with a discrepancy of 5%, and the trace elements (except Cr, Ni, Zn, Ga, Mo and Sb) were agreement with the recommended values in 10%. The dataset reported in this study was helpful for the value certification of CGSG reference materials. Overall, the proposed Iolite code broadened the application of Iolite package in the reduction of LA-ICP-MS transient signal for the elemental determination.

Matrix Effects During SIMS Measurement of the Lithium Mass Fractions of Silicate Glasses: Correction Procedures and Updated Preferred Values of Reference Materials

This study demonstrates that significant matrix‐dependent bias occurs during the measurement of Li mass fractions by SIMS in silicate glasses. This bias is particularly evident for basaltic and ultramafic samples, where published SIMS data of reference materials show discrepancies up to 40% compared with other measurement techniques. Matrix effects can be successfully corrected by taking into account the SiO2 content of the analysed material. New matrix‐corrected SIMS data for a suite of silicate glass reference materials are presented (glasses from MPI‐DING, USGS, Smithsonian and NIST, with a range of 46–76 g per 100 g SiO2), which are on average within 4% of preferred values (PV) as published in the GeoReM database. As several PV for Li in GeoReM are biased by the inclusion of inaccurate SIMS data, updated reference values are proposed that include the new SIMS dataset presented here.

Halogens (F, Cl, Br, I) in Thirteen USGS, GSJ and NIST International Rock and Glass Reference Materials

Fluorine, Cl, Br and I measurements are reported for eight international rock reference materials (BHVO‐2, BCR‐2, BIR‐1a, RGM‐2, AGV‐2, GSP‐2, JB‐2 and JR‐1), and new F data are reported for five silicate glass reference materials (NIST SRM 610 and 612, BHVO‐2G, BCR‐2G and BIR‐1G). Fluorine was measured by SHRIMP in the silicate glasses and in Li‐borate flux glasses prepared from the rock powders. Chlorine, Br and I were measured in vacuum‐encapsulated rock powders by the noble gas method (extended 40Ar/39Ar methodology). The methods yield reliable results: Fluorine has a repeatability of 1–16% in the flux glasses compared with 2–4% in the silicate glasses, which suggests incomplete homogenisation during flux melting, but F was not lost during fusion of flux glasses at 1080 °C. The noble gas method gave repeatability of 1–2% for samples included in a single irradiation and intermediate precision of 2% for Cl, 2–3% for Br and 3–10% for I in samples included in two irradiations. The accuracy of the measurements varies from 5% to 10%, based on the repeatability of our results, the agreement of different calibration procedures and uncertainty in experimentally determined neutron capture cross sections. Our results significantly improve upon the precision with which some of the halogens have been characterised in the selected reference materials previously.

Automated Extraction of a Five‐Year LA‐ICP‐MS Trace Element Data Set of Ten Common Glass and Carbonate Reference Materials: Long‐Term Data Quality, Optimisation and Laser Cell Homogeneity

LA‐ICP‐MS is increasingly applied to obtain quantitative multi‐element data with minimal sample preparation, usually achieved by calibration using reference materials (RMs). However, some ubiquitous RMs, for example the NIST SRM 61× series glasses, suffer from reported value uncertainties for certain elements. Moreover, no long‐term data set of analyses conducted over a range of ablation and tuning conditions exists. Thus, there has been little rigorous examination of the extent to which offsets between measured and reported values are the result of error in these values rather than analytically induced fractionation. We present new software (‘LA‐MINE’), capable of extracting LA‐ICP‐MS data with no user input, and apply this to our system, yielding over 5 years of data (~ 5700 analyses of ten glass and carbonate RMs). We examine the relative importance of systematic analytical bias and possible error in reported values through a mass‐specific breakdown of fourteen of the most commonly determined elements. Furthermore, these data, obtained under a wide range of different ablation conditions, enable specific recommendations of how data quality may be improved, for example the role of diatomic gas, the effect of differential inter‐glass fractionation factors and choice of transport tubing material. Finally, these data demonstrate that the two‐volume Laurin ablation cell is characterised by no discernible spatial heterogeneity in measured trace element ratios.

Assessment of Nanosecond Laser Ablation Multi‐Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry for Pb and Sr Isotopic Determination in Archaeological Glass: Mass Bias Correction Strategies and Results for Corning Glass Reference Materials

This work presents an evaluation of various methods for in situ high‐precision Sr and Pb isotopic determination in archaeological glass (containing 100–500 μg g−1 target element) by nanosecond laser ablation multi‐collector‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ns‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS). A set of four soda‐lime silicate glasses, Corning A–D, mimicking the composition of archaeological glass and produced by the Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, New York, USA), were investigated as candidates for matrix‐matched reference materials for use in the analysis of archaeological glass. Common geological reference materials with known isotopic compositions (USGS basalt glasses BHVO‐2G, GSE‐1G and NKT‐1G, soda‐lime silicate glass NIST SRM 610 and several archaeological glass samples with known Sr isotopic composition) were used to evaluate the ns‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS analytical procedures. When available, ns‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS results for the Corning glasses are reported. These were found to be in good agreement with results obtained via pneumatic nebulisation (pn) MC‐ICP‐MS after digestion of the glass matrix and target element isolation. The presence of potential spectral interference from doubly charged rare earth element (REE) ions affecting Sr isotopic determination was investigated by admixing Er and Yb aerosols by means of pneumatic nebulisation into the gas flow from the laser ablation system. It was shown that doubly charged REE ions affect the Sr isotope ratios, but that this could be circumvented by operating the instrument at higher mass resolution. Multiple strategies to correct for instrumental mass discrimination in ns‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS and the effects of relevant interferences were evaluated. Application of common glass reference materials with basaltic matrices for correction of ns‐LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS isotope data of archaeological glasses results in inaccurate Pb isotope ratios, rendering application of matrix‐matched reference materials indispensable. Correction for instrumental mass discrimination using the exponential law, with the application of Tl as an internal isotopic standard element introduced by pneumatic nebulisation and Corning D as bracketing isotopic calibrator, provided the most accurate results for Pb isotope ratio measurements in archaeological glass. Mass bias correction relying on the power law, combined with intra‐element internal correction, assuming a constant 88Sr/86Sr ratio, yielded the most accurate results for 87Sr/86Sr determination in archaeological glasses