Acquisition of an Advanced Optical Microscopy Laboratory for Computer Integrated Analysis of Fault Rock Fabrics and Fractures

本提案寻求资金，用于购买显微镜和样品制备设备，以便在蒙大拿州立大学建立天然材料岩石微结构实验室。该设施的总体目标是对晶体择优取向(CPO)织物和微结构进行成像和分析。该设施将包括使用计算机集成偏振(CIP)显微镜进行光学取向分析的能力，以及使用荧光显微镜进行断口微结构分析的能力。所要求的是配备CIP的具有荧光和数字成像能力的奥林巴斯BX51示波器和带有偏振附件的奥林巴斯SZX-16示波器。对于数字成像，需要一个带有数字化监视器的工作站。对于样品准备，需要精密锯子、磨床/抛光机和附件。该仪器将用于正在进行的由美国国家科学基金会EAR资助的关于地震破裂前和破裂后下大陆地壳和中部大陆地壳塑性变形的研究。石英晶体取向将与裂缝密度和粒度分布一起分析，以更好地了解中深地壳地震断层的变形机制和古应力条件。将对含石英脉和假玄武岩的样品进行分析，以了解变形机制。CIP和电子背散射衍射(EBSD)将被用来绘制取向图，这将反过来与估计变形过程中的应变场有关。相关项目将使用该仪器分析积雪流变学，方法是确定烧结颗粒雪边界的优先取向，化石骨骼中的磷灰石取向作为应力适应和生活方式的替代，以及化石恐龙和鸟蛋中方解石晶体的取向，以更好地了解鸟类繁殖的进化。仪器将被合并到现有的实验室空间中，位于两栋建筑中的一栋。准备设备将并入现有的岩石准备房间。维护成本被认为是最低的，每年的供应估计只有1250美元左右。消耗性用品将从适用的研究补助金中收取费用。由于预期计算机和软件维护费用，将向用户收取象征性费用。MNM实验室将补充密歇根州立大学已有的仪器。所需的EBSD样品制备设备将允许更高的样品吞吐量，并减少在另一个部门制备样品的需要。通过新设施，跨学科和跨部门的协作将成为可能。由于所需设备的坚固性，学生将获得实践经验和教育。由于这一设施的独特性质，传播的结果将引起广泛关注。***

0824980Shaw This proposal seeks funding to acquire a microscopy and sample preparation equipment in order to create a Rock Microstructure of Natural Materials Laboratory at Montana State University. The overall goal of the facility is to image and analyze crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) fabrics and microstructures. The facility will comprise capabilities for optical orientation analysis with Computer Integrated Polarization (CIP) microscopy and fracture microstructural analysis using epifluorescence microscopy. Requested are an Olympus BX51 scope with fluorescence and digital imaging capabilities fitted with CIP and an Olympus SZX-16 scope with polarization accessories. For digital imaging, a workstation with digitizing monitor is requested. For sample preparation, a precision saw, grinder/polisher and accessories are requested. The instrumentation will be employed for on-going NSF EAR-funded research on seismic rupture pre- and post-rupture plastic deformation in the lower and middle continental crust. Quartz crystallographic orientation will be assayed along with fracture density and grain size distributions to better understand deformation mechanisms and paleostress conditions from middle and deep crust seismic faults. Quartz vein and pseudotachylyte-bearing samples will be analyzed to understand deformation mechanisms. CIP and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) will be used to map orientation and this in turn will be related to estimate the strain field during deformation. Associated projects will have the instrumentation applied to analyzing snowpack rheology by determining preferred orientation at sintered grain snow boundaries, apatite orientation in fossil bones as a proxy for stress adaptation and lifestyle, and the orientation of calcite crystals in fossil dinosaur and bird eggs to better understand the evolution of avian reproduction. The instrumentation will be incorporated into existing laboratory space in one of two buildings. The preparation equipment will be incorporated into an existing rock preparation room. Maintenance costs are assumed to be minimal with supply estimates at only ~$1,250 per year. Expendable supplies will be charged to applicable research grants. A nominal fee will be charged to users in anticipation of computer and software maintenance costs. The MNM lab will compliment instrumentation already available at MSU. The requested EBSD sample preparation equipment will allow higher sample throughput and alleviate the need to prepare samples in another department. Interdisciplinary and inter-departmental collaboration will be possible through the new facility. Due to the robust nature of the requested equipment, students will gain hands-on experience and education. Due to the unique nature of this facility, disseminated results will be of broad interest. ***