How are helium and argon used in thermal evolution methods?

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Viking 1 on Mars — sample preparation Viking 1's sample scoop, poised to extract material from the surface of Mars.

In thermal evolution methods, helium and argon serve as inert carrier gases.1

When a test portion is rapidly heated—typically in a resistance or induction furnace—these noble gases are used to transport specific analytes, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, away from the sample matrix. This process allows for the isolation of these inorganic analytes from the undissolved test portion.1