Facilities

Scanning electron microscopy: Two scanning electron microscopes are currently available in our institute: a CamScan MV2300 (installed in 2003) and a Tescan Mira LMU (installed in 2008). The CamScan SEM is equipped with a standard tungsten   …

Digital microscopy: The digital microscopy lab contains three polarizing microscopes, all equipped with motorized stages, a binocular and a MicroDrill station. Each instrument is equipped with a high resolution digital camera in order …

HF lab: Because of its ability to dissolve oxides, hydrofluoric acid (HF) is commonly used for separating microfossils from hand specimens. The use of this very corrosive acid requires a vented fume hood to avoid exposure and possible skin   …

Sedimentary lab: The sedimentary lab is dedicated to the separation and the preparation of microfossils from sedimentary rock samples. This step is necessary before any observation using optical or scanning electron microscopes. The lab is …

X-ray diffraction: The X-ray diffraction lab is equipped with an ARL Thermo Xtra powder diffractometer. The instrument enables the characterization of materials based on the diffraction of X-rays as they go through the lattice of the crystal       …

Biogeosciences lab: This lab enables the characterization of organic and inorganic compounds from soil samples using the following techniques: (1) Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), (2) UV-Vis fluorescence spectroscopy, (3) Malvern   …

Optical cathodoluminescence: Cathodoluminescence microscopy is used to highlight features that cannot be observed using standard transmitted or reflected light microscopes. In Earth sciences several applications of cathodoluminescence  …