For isotope research, multi collector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) represents a versatile and reliable tool for precise analyses of isotope ratios of various elements. The plasma source allows ionization of many elements, either being introduced via an aerosol or a solution.<br/><br/>The Institute of Mineralogy uses a ThermoFinnigan Neptune MC-ICP-MS instrument equipped with 9 Faraday detectors, one secondary electron multiplier (SEM, fixed), and two compact discrete dynode (CDD) SEMs for isotopes with very low signal intensities (&lt; 106 cps; attached to the L4 and H4 Faraday detector, respectively). One amplifier with a 1012 Ω feedback resistor can be selected for a low signal intensity (typically &lt; 5*10-13 A ≡ 50 mV), and nine amplifiers with 1011 Ω resistors are installed enabling measurement of signals of up to 5*10-10 A (≡ 50 V)