Facility Support: The UCLA National ION Microprobe

这笔赠款将继续支持加州大学洛杉矶分校的离子微探测器实验室，使其成为地球和行星科学研究的国家设施。它使合格的外部调查人员能够进入该设施。此外，它还允许：(1)进一步开发分析方法，利用SIMS的独特优势对与地球化学和地质年代学问题相关的同位素丰度进行原位分析；(2)对UCLA Cameca IMS 1270的关键部件进行硬件升级，从而显著延长其作为最先进仪器的使用寿命；以及(3)开发以K-12学生和教师为重点的教育和推广计划，并为加州大学洛杉矶分校的本科生设立暑期实习计划。与美国宇航局天体生物学研究所和加利福尼亚科学项目建立了伙伴关系，以利用教育和外联机会。加州大学洛杉矶分校国家离子微探测器设施产生的数据导致了从构造和岩浆过程到沉积过程、古气候学和古生物学、地球最早的历史以及太阳系的起源和早期演化等领域的一系列重大发现，自1995年以来已在120篇科学文章中详细介绍了这些发现。目前，近30多个由NSF支持的项目依赖于该设施在这些不同的领域进行研究。基于目前的兴趣水平，我们预计高分辨率离子微探测器的独特能力在未来几年仍将是高需求。*

McKeegan0421795This grant provides continued support of the UCLA ion microprobe laboratory as a national facility for research in the earth and planetary sciences. It enables access to the facility by qualified external investigators. In addition, it permits: (1) Further development of analytical methods that take advantage of the unique strengths of SIMS for in situ analyses of isotopic abundances relevant to problems in geochemistry and geochronology; (2) Hardware upgrades to critical components of the UCLA CAMECA ims 1270 that will significantly extend its life as a state-of-the-art instrument; and (3) Development of an education and outreach program focused upon K-12 students and teachers and establishment of a summer intern program for UCLA undergraduates. Partnerships are established with the NASA Astrobiology Institute and with the California Science Project in order to leverage education and outreach opportunities. Data produced from the UCLA national ion microprobe facility have led to an array of significant discoveries in fields ranging from tectonics and igneous processes to sedimentary processes, paleoclimatology and paleobiology, the earliest history of the Earth and the origin and early evolution of the Solar System that have been detailed in 120 scientific articles since 1995. Presently, nearly three dozen NSF-supported projects are reliant upon the facility to conduct research in these diverse fields. Based upon current interest levels, we expect that the unique capabilities of the high-resolution ion microprobe will remain in high demand in the coming years.***