Equipment Upgrade for the Cameca SX-50 Electron Microprobe at the University of Oregon

9510026赖斯俄勒冈大学地质科学系将升级他们现有的Cameca SX-50电子探针显微分析仪。这一仪器构成了他们分析设施的核心，对于他们部门近一半的人目前正在进行的研究至关重要。这次升级将包括购买一台SUN SPARCStation 5，作为通过Cameca、图像处理软件和用于精确分析轻元素的两个x射线衍射假晶提供的“SXPACK”升级的一部分。SUN计算机将取代使用寿命即将结束的DEC PDP-11小型机，更重要的是，在软件开发方面不再受到支持。如果没有这次升级，PI的科学创造力和生产力将受到陈旧的计算机系统的严重限制。此外，基于SUN的计算机系统将提供一个与其网络上的现有机器完全兼容的现代计算平台，并将使人们能够访问最近开发的软件包，以充分利用SX-50的能力。假晶技术和分析技术的最新进展导致了分析从硼到氧的元素的能力，其精密度和准确度接近于通常与较重元素相关的元素。正在进行和计划中的研究项目需要对各种大宗成分中的氧和硼进行相对精确的分析。***

9510026 Rice The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Oregon will upgrade their present Cameca SX-50 electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). This instrument forms the core of their analytical facilities and is crucial for research currently being conducted by nearly half of their department. The upgrade will include the purchase of a SUN SPARCstation 5 as part as part of a "SXPACK" upgrade offered though Cameca, image processing software and two x-ray diffracting pseudocrystals used for the precise analysis of light elements. The SUN computer will replace a DEC PDP-11 minicomputer that is at the end of its useful life, and more importantly is no longer supported in terms of software development. Without this upgrade, the PI's scientific creativity and productivity would be severely limited by an antiquated computer system. Additionallly, the SUN-based computer system will provide a modern computing platform that is fully compatible with existing machines on their network and will enable access to recently developed software packages designed to fully utilize the capabilities of the SX-50. Recent advances in pseudocrystal technology and analytical techniques have resulted in the capability of analyzing elements in the range from boron to oxygen with precision and accuracy approaching that commonly associated with heavier elements. Ongoing and planned research projects require relatively precise analyses of oxygen and boron in a variety of bulk compositions. ***