MRI: Acquisition of a next-generation electron microprobe at the University of Minnesota

该项目是为明尼苏达大学（University of Minnesota）提供下一代电子显微探针，以取代使用良好但已使用23年的老化仪器。这项投资为岩石、有机材料和高科技材料中的元素提供了高分辨率制图的最新能力。鉴于在地球和环境科学、工程、考古学、生物技术和牙科领域拓展知识前沿的重要性，这种支持与国家科学基金会促进科学进步和促进国家健康、繁荣和福利的使命是一致的。新仪器服务于国家研究团体以及明尼苏达州、威斯康星州西部、达科他州和蒙大拿州的大学。明尼苏达大学将获得下一代电子微探针，该探针装有多个能量色散光谱仪，包括软x射线发射光谱仪（SXES）。该仪器意味着可以以200纳米的高空间分辨率绘制元素。SXES提供了分析轻元素和有机物、磷酸盐、碳酸盐和聚合物的新能力。明尼苏达大学依赖于电子显微探针分析的研究项目包括实验岩石学、矿物和岩石物理学、地球生物学、地球微生物学和生物修复学、构造学和变质岩石学、矿物和岩石磁学、水地球化学、古气候和经济地质学。

The project is for the University of Minnesota to acquire a next-generation electron microprobe to replace a well-used but aging 23-year-old instrument. This investment provides the newest capabilities in high-resolution mapping of elements in rocks, organic material, and high-technology materials. This support is congruent with NSFs mission of promoting the progress of science and advancing the national health, prosperity and welfare, given the importance of expanding the frontiers of knowledge in the earth and environmental sciences, engineering, archeology, biotechnology and dentistry. The new instrument serves a national research community as well as universities in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Montana.The University of Minnesota will acquire a next-generation electron microprobe, which houses multiple energy-dispersive spectrometers, including a Soft X-ray Emission Spectrometer (SXES). The instrument means that elements can be mapped at a high-spatial resolution of 200 nanometers. The SXES provides for a new capability in the analysis of light elements and organic matter, phosphates, carbonates, and polymers. Research programs at Minnesota that depend on electron microprobe analyses include experimental petrology, mineral and rock physics, geobiology, geomicrobiology, and bioremediation, tectonics and metamorphic petrology, mineral and rock magnetism, aqueous geochemistry, paleoclimate, and economic geology.