Establishment of a Microanalytical Laboratory for Research in the Earth and Materials Sciences

这项MRI赠款将资助一种新的电子微探针（EMP），用于伦斯勒理工学院地球与环境科学系分析自然和合成地质材料。 新的微探针将远远超过我们目前的JEOL 733的能力，提供更大的稳定性，更高的灵敏度，更好的分析精度，更好的软件/硬件集成。这些新的能力，特别是新的光谱仪设计和衍射晶体尺寸所承诺的更高计数率，对于许多正在进行的和拟议的研究项目至关重要。这些项目包括：（1）分析变质岩中微量元素的分布，作为反应的监测（2）分析实验运行产品以限制地幔和陨石样品中的扩散率;（3）分析合成岩石中的孔隙度和渗透率以限制地壳和地幔中的地球化学活动性;（4）变质带岩石中独居石的化学定年，以确定造山作用的时间和速率。 该仪器将被安置在一个设施，将提供给所有研究人员和学生在伦斯勒和其他学术机构。拟议的实验室将加强伦斯勒和纽约北部地区的研究基础设施，并将作为本科生和研究生的教学设施。

EAR-0320995SpearThis MRI grant will fund a new electron microprobe (EMP) to be used for the analysis of natural and synthetic geologic materials in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The new microprobe will far exceed the capabilities of our present JEOL 733 by providing greater stability, higher sensitivity, better analytical precision, and better software/hardware integration. These new capabilities, and especially the higher count rates promised by new spectrometer design and diffraction crystal size, are essential for a number of ongoing and proposed research projects. These projects include (1) analysis of trace element distributions in metamorphic rocks as monitors of reaction (and tectonic) history; (2) analysis of experimental run products to constrain diffusivities in mantle and meteoritic samples; (3) analysis of porosity and permeability in synthetic rocks to constrain geochemical mobility in the crust and mantle; (4) and chemical dating of monazite in rocks from metamorphic belts to constrain timing and rates of orogeny. This instrument will be housed in a facility that will be available to all researchers and students at Rensselaer and other academic institutions. The proposed laboratory will enhance the research infrastructure at Rensselaer and the upstate New York region and will serve as an instructional facility for undergraduate and graduate students.