UPb.age, a fast data reduction script for LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology

laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (la-icpms) is a rapidly growing technique that allows many different types of in-situ microanalyses to be performed in geological materials. one of the most used methodologies is u-pb isotopic dating of accessory minerals such as zircon. these analyses can be performed at the scale of tenths of micrometers, in a rapid, cost-effective way and with very good precision and accuracy. it is critical, however, to perform the data reduction in a fast, transparent and customizable way that takes into account the specific analytical procedures employed in various laboratories and the outputs of different instruments. upb.age is a freely available data reduction script, written and developed in r, a free statistical environment. the software can read, correct and reduce u-pb isotopic data obtained by several la-icmps instruments. its main strengths are transparency, robustness, speed, and the ability to be readily customized and adapted to specific analytical procedures used in different laboratories.