Our
laboratory
equipment
Our laboratory specializes in the separation and preparation of accessory mineral phases for geochemical, geochronological, and petrological analysis. Using a combination of water-density and magnetic separation techniques, we isolate key accessory minerals such as zircon, monazite, apatite, titanite, and others from a variety of rock types. These mineral separates are then prepared as both polished bubble-free epoxy mounts for in-situ analytical methods (e.g., electron microprobe, LA-ICP-MS, SIMS) and unpolished indium mounts for isotopic and trace-element investigations requiring surface preservation (SIMS depth profiling). This dual preparation approach ensures flexibility in analytical applications while maintaining the integrity of delicate mineral grains.
Polished zircon crystals revealing zonation through CL imaging
Heavy mineral separate displaying zircon crystals distinguished by their high relief and vivid interference colors under crossed polars.
Full thin section scan using Zeiss Axio Imager
Scanning Electron Microscope JEOL-IT510 with cathodoluminescence (CL) detector
The JSM-IT510 InTouchScope™ SEM Series delivers the highest level of intelligent technology with built-in automation for the most versatile analytical SEM available today.
ZEISS Axio Imager microscope
Designed for high-quality transmitted, polarized and reflected light microscopy. It provides exceptional optical performance for detailed petrographic analysis. Its programable mobile stage allows petrographic imaging of full thin sections and mounts. The Axio Imager also includes a circular polarizing technology that eliminates the "extinction" positions of anisotropic minerals under crossed-polarized light, allowing minerals to display their maximum interference colors at all times regardless of stage rotation.
ZEISS Axio Lab microscope
A ZEISS Axio Lab petrographic microscope provides high-quality transmitted-light imaging for the identification and characterization of minerals and rocks in thin sections. It enables examination under plane- and cross-polarized light to evaluate mineralogy, textures, grain relationships, alteration, and deformation. The microscope is particularly useful for petrographic characterization and for selecting specific mineral domains for subsequent geochemical and microanalytical analyses.
ZEISS Stemi 803 binocular microscopes
A ZEISS Stemi trinocular stereomicroscope provides high-quality optical imaging for the identification, inspection, and hand-picking of mineral grains. It is particularly useful during mineral separation for selecting clean, inclusion-free grains based on morphology, color, transparency, and other visual characteristics. The trinocular configuration also enables digital imaging and documentation of selected grains prior to subsequent geochemical and geochronological analyses.
