Acquisition of a scanning electron microscope optimized for elemental analysis for geologic research and teaching at Northern Arizona University

0421452样品在这项重大研究仪器（MRI）赠款的支持下，北方亚利桑那州地质系将安装一台扫描电子显微镜（SEM），用于岩石和矿物的元素成像和化学分析。这一战略规划将大大加强该部现有的地质研究能力。 地质系的教职员工将管理该设施，由地质系支助的一名技术员将为研究人员和学生提供维护和培训。 该部门有一个成功的计划与16名教师。 十名教师和他们的学生使用SEM作为他们的研究计划的一部分。扫描电镜将是一个重要的工具，使更苛刻的分析研究（同位素分析质谱法，电子探针分析）有效和彻底，并在开发新的研究途径不实用与现有的仪器在NAU。这些研究计划包括岩浆房过程、活动边缘断裂带中的流体-岩石相互作用、造山带的压力-温度-时间演化、火山作用和喷发组构、北美科迪勒拉构造和沉积物源、大陆边缘冷泉系统的化学和动物群演化、和生物地层学和微型脊椎动物的进化。除了有利于地质学教师和他们的学生强大的研究计划，扫描电镜将是一个有价值的，用户友好的培训工具，适用于所有对地质材料定量分析感兴趣的研究生和本科生。该仪器将用于至少4个本科生和12个研究生班的教育和研究培训，影响一个大型地质学项目的数十名学生。 SEM将为从NAU地质学毕业的学生提供分析技能，这将有助于确保他们在攻读更高学位时取得成功。该设施将提供重要的外联能力，使更多的学生从大型农村亚利桑那州，美洲原住民和西班牙裔人口服务的NAU，进入地球科学的职业生涯。通过这些方式，SEM将服务于一所使命是成为专业和研究生课程相结合的一流本科住宿机构的大学。 该仪器将安置在地质系，地理位置和收费结构将有利于创新的教学和研究相关的使用。

0421452SampleWith support from this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant, the Department of Geology at Northern Arizona will install a scanning electron microscope (SEM) optimized for elemental imaging and chemical analysis of rocks and minerals. This SEM will significantly enhance the existing geologic research capabilities in the Department. Faculty members in the Department of Geology will manage the facility, and a technician supported by the Department will provide maintenance and training for researchers and students. The Department has a successful program with 16 faculty members. Ten faculty members and their students use an SEM as part of their research program. The SEM will be an important tool for making more demanding analytical research (isotopic analysis by mass spectrometry, electron microprobe analysis) efficient and thorough, and in developing new avenues of research not practical with existing instrumentation at NAU. These research programs include investigations of magma chamber processes, fluid-rock interactions in fault zones at active margins, pressure-temperature-time evolution of orogenic belts, volcanic processes and eruptive fabrics, tectonics and sedimentary provenance of formations in the North American Cordillera, chemical and faunal evolution of cold seep systems at continental margins, and biostratigraphy and evolution of micro-vertebrates.Besides benefiting the strong research programs of Geology faculty members and their students, the SEM will be a valuable, user-friendly training tool for all graduate and undergraduate students interested in quantitative analysis of geological materials. This instrument will be used in educational and research training in at least 4 undergraduate and 12 graduate classes, impacting dozens of students in a large geology program. The SEM will provide the students graduating from NAU Geology with analytical skills that will help to ensure their success as they pursue more advanced degrees. The facility will provide important outreach capabilities for the Department to bring more students from the large rural Arizona, Native American, and Hispanic populations served by NAU, into a career in geoscience. In these ways, the SEM will serve a university whose mission is to be a premier undergraduate residential institution integrated with professional and graduate programs. The instrument will be housed in the Department of Geology where the proximity and fee structure will be favorable for innovative teaching- and research-related usage.