Abstract
Relative measurements of the lithium isotope ratio for lithium carbonate and lithium nitrate prepared from laboratory standard lithium sulfate (Merck) have been made by using a surface ionization ion source of the triple filament type. For lithium carbonate, the isotope ratios by the measured point method varied systematically with time and the measurable isotope fractionation was observed. The isotope fractionation was discussed from the viewpoint of the isotope effect in the evaporation of lithium oxide which might be formed at the sample filament surface from lithium carbonate. The isotope ratio(7Li/6Li)for this sample moterial by the ion current integration method was measured to be 12.38 ±0.01. For lithium nitrate, the isotope ratio of 12.38 ±0.03 obtained by the measured point method well agrees with the isotope ratio 12.39 ±0.01 measured by the ion current integration method. In the course of sample preparation from laboratory standard lithium sulfate, the measurable isotope fractionation did not take place.