Our Low-Temperature Thermochronology Laboratory has facilities for
routine mineral separation, fission-track and (U-Th)/He analyses,
as well as flexibility for new methods development.
Fission-Track microscope
Zeiss AxioImager M2m microscope with automated stepper stage, high resolution camera and custom software for image acquisition and analysis.
Mineral picking microscope
Zeiss SteREO Discovery.V20 zoom stereo-microscope with high resolution camera, polarizer/analyzer and a variety of stages for mineral selection and microphotography.
Vaccum line for He analysis
Patterson Instruments ultra-high vacuum line equipped with furnace and laser heating stage for single-grain degassing and measurement.
Laboratory facilities for mineral separation, mounting, polishing and etching
Facilities for mineral separation include a "dirty" lab with saws, jaw crushers, pulverizer, Jasper Canyon zircon separation table, Ro-tap, dry and wet sieves; and a "wet" lab with three fume hoods for handling heavy liquids and acids, an benchtop centrifuge, Frantz LB-1 Magnetic Barrier separator, Buehler EcoMet grinder and AutoMet 250 polisher, a Memmert precision oven and furnace for etching and annealing experiments.
Laser ablation multicollector (+ RQ) ICP-MS
Coming summer 2022! A Thermo Neoma multicollector ICP-MS coupled to a Teledyne Iridia laser ablation system for in-situ (U-Th)/Pb dating, eHf, and other isotopic analyses. With an additionalThermo iCAP RQ ICP-MS for solution U, Th, Sm measurement. This facility is housed in the GT MCF (below).
Materials Characterization Facility (MCF)
We use the MCF for electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and other surface science techniques.
Please contact Dr. Lang if you are interested in collaborating on a proposal!