LA-ICP-MS laboratory of the Tectonics & Resources group. A. Dziggel Tectonics and Resources Laboratories Tectonics and Resources The laboratories of the Chair of Tectonics and Resources are used, among other things, for the separation of minerals as well as for thin-section and thin-cut examinations. A LA-ICP-MS laboratory is also used, in which trace element analyses of solids and U-Pb dating of zircons, for example, are carried out. Acidified aqueous samples can also be analyzed. The laboratories Microscopy Laboratory Olivin crystals in a thin section, using crossed polarizers. Stephan Schuth Mikroscopy Laboratory Various polarizing microscopes from Leica (DM750P) and Olympus are available for preparation and thin section microscopy. A Euromex HD-Lite camera with Image Focus software is used for real-time image generation and preparation of micrographs and thin sections. The DM750P polarizing microscopes feature 4x object turrets (with 4x, 10x, 20x, 50x magnification), LED illumination, incident and transmitted light modules, and a Bertrand lens module. Microscope for investigation of thin sections and other polished surfaces (Leica) Stephan Schuth Room: IA 01/175 Contact: Prof. Dziggel (IA 4/185, Tel.: +49 (0)234-32-27 25 4)C Sample preparation Sample preparation uses various devices to crush rock samples to the desired size. Mineral phases can also be separated from one another using a Wilfley table. Hydraulic crusher Jaw breaker Disc mill Wilfley table Room IA 02/65 Contact: F. Hansen (IA 01/165, Tel.: +49 (0)234-32-23 44 2) Fine preparation and wet chemistry laboratory Fine preparation uses various methods to prepare samples for analysis: mineral separation using magnetic separators, super panners and heavy liquid separation, and the oscillating disk mill for sample pulverization. Frantz magnetic separator Heavy liquid separation Super Panner (dry mineral separation) Oscillating disc mill Room IA 01/67 Contact: F. Hansen (IA 01/165, Tel.: +49 (0)234-32-23 44 2) Picking room The final production of the mineral separates is done by hand picking ("picking") under the binocular. Binocular used for manual separation ("picking") of minerals. Stephan Schuth Room IA 01/69 Contact: F. Hansen (IA 01/165, Tel.: +49 (0)234-32-23 44 2) LA-ICP-MS Laboratory The laboratory for sample analysis by coupling a laser with a mass spectrometer uses an Agilent 8900 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with a built-in reaction cell (helium, ammonia and oxygen are currently used) and inductively coupled plasma as an ion source (TQ-ICP-MS or QQQ-ICP-MS). An ESI NWRImageGEO is used as the laser. It is an ArF excimer laser with a wavelength of 193 nm, a pulse length of 5 ns and an energy density of ~15 J/cm² (laser source manufacturer: Coherent). Point analyses from 2 to 220 µm, line, grid and rectangular analyses in any orientation with a diagonal of up to 100 µm are possible. The ablation rate can be selected between 1 and 300 Hz. Laser and TQ-ICP-MS thus enable the analysis of solid (non-frozen) samples with high spatial resolution. Imaging concentration distributions on surfaces ("element mapping") are also easily possible thanks to the existing DCI system for coupling between laser and ICP-MS and evaluation using the Iolite software (smallest pixel corresponds to 2 µm). Solutions can also be measured using the connected autosampler with the TQ-ICP-MS. The new LA-ICP-MS laboratory of the Tectonics & Resources group. A. Dziggel Rooms IA 01/73-75-77 Contact: Dr. S. Schuth (IA 4/53, Tel.: +49 (0)234 32 23 23 5) Laser ablation of a zircon crystal, with more spots for ablation being marked. A. Dziggel Element map of a zircon, showing concentrations of U, Th and Pb. A. Dziggel The new LA-ICP-MS laboratory of the Tectonics & Resources group. A. Dziggel Possible Laser Ablation pattern on a solid surface. A. Dziggel The triple quadrupole ICPMS (left) and the Excimer UV laser (right). S. Schuth Previous Next More information Tectonics and Resources The world of zircons The world of zircons mehr erfahren The world of zircons