Geologists from the Institute of the Earth\'s Crust of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences discovered an apatite sample suitable for tuning mass spectrometers without purchasing Western counterparts. The mineral\'s composition is identical at all points, which eliminates errors during laser ablation, according to the publication Science in Siberia.
The crystal is 467 million years old. Fragments were sent to several laboratories, where independent methods confirmed that there are no spots or enrichment zones on the elemental distribution maps. This makes it possible to use apatite as a secondary standard for calibrating equipment used in the geological exploration of niobium and rare-earth metals. The mineral\'s crystal lattice accommodates dozens of impurities, and their ratio is used to reconstruct the temperature and pressure of ancient fluids.
The cost of imported standards reaches thousands of dollars per gram, and their supply is complicated by sanctions. The domestic counterpart meets the needs of state defense order laboratories for data verification. Niobium and rare earths that such apatite \"accompanies\" are critical for heat-resistant alloys in aircraft engines and the electronic component base. Instrument calibration now no longer depends on external restrictions.