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

这项核磁共振拨款将资助一种新的电子显微探针（EMP），用于伦斯勒理工学院地球与环境科学系的自然和合成地质材料分析。新的微探针将通过提供更高的稳定性，更高的灵敏度，更好的分析精度和更好的软件/硬件集成，远远超过我们现有的JEOL 733的能力。这些新功能，特别是新光谱仪设计和衍射晶体尺寸所承诺的更高计数率，对许多正在进行和拟议的研究项目至关重要。这些项目包括：(1)分析变质岩中的微量元素分布，作为反应（和构造）历史的监测；(2)对地幔和陨石样品中扩散系数约束的实验运行结果分析；(3)合成岩石孔隙度和渗透率分析对壳幔地球化学流动性的制约作用；(4)变质带中独居石的化学定年，以限制造山运动的时间和速率。该仪器将被安置在一个设施中，供伦斯勒和其他学术机构的所有研究人员和学生使用。拟议中的实验室将加强伦斯勒和纽约州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.