Electron-probe microanalyzer (EPMA) for geomaterials research

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Electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) is a widely established method for spatially resolved analysis of the chemical composition of solid phases (minerals, melt inclusions) in the Earth Sciences. Combining major and trace element analysis of minerals using EPMA and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has resulted in fundamentally new insight into the processes of crustal fluid flow and formation of world-class hydrothermal metal ore deposits, as demonstrated by our track record in geofluids and geomaterials research. We therefore apply for funding for a next-generation EPMA instrument equipped with greatly improved WDS spectrometers that opens up new possibilities for high-precision analysis of the major element composition of complex minerals and low-concentration analysis of halogens (F, Cl) in hydrous silicates and phosphates, which are key tracers of hydrothermal processes. The new EPMA will replace a more than 20 years old instrument, which is increasingly affected by technical problems, extended downtimes and continuously rising costs for maintenance and repair. The new EPMA will be used by a consortium of 4 research groups at RWTH Aachen University, which are the Applied Mineralogy and Economic Geology, Crystallography, Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering groups. The new EPMA instrument will make it possible to perform frontier research in geomaterials and geofluids, including the sources and partitioning of halogens in crustal fluids, the formation of world-class hydrothermal and magmatic-hydrothermal metal ore deposits, the production and migration of fluids and metals during metamorphism and partial melting of crustal rocks, the diagenetic evolution of major sedimentary basins, the chemical effect of deformation and mobilization of salt deposits, the distribution of critical metals in new types of ore deposits, and the link between chemistry and physical properties of REE and Zr phases.