CU Electron Microprobe Laboratory (RRID:SCR_012321)
303-735-2413 aaron.bell@colorado.edu
- Location: BESC 125A
- Technology focus: Electron microprobe analysis
- Available techniques / equipment summary: Quantitative WDS analysis, WDS element mapping (1 μm pixel resolution), EDS analysis, JEOL 8230 Electron Microprobe, Leica ACE600
- Common applications include: Mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, metallurgy, materials science, monazite U-Th-Pb geochronolgy, archeometry and glass science
- Open to: CU Boulder, and external users nationwide
The electron microprobe is the premiere instrument for performing non-destructive, in-situ, quantitative chemical analysis of solid materials via wavelength dispersive spectrometry. EMP surface analyses provide chemical information with a high degree of spatial resolution with analytical volumes as low as 3-5 μm3. Elements ranging from Boron (Z=5) to Uranium (Z=92) can be routinely analyzed with detection limits as low as 50 ppm. The EML is housed within the Department of Geological Sciences. The lab is equipped with JEOL 8230 Electron Microprobe. This instrument was purchased in 2017 with an NSF MRI award. The laboratory also contains a Leica ACE600 carbon thin film evaporation system for the preparation of non-conductive samples.
Aaron S. Bell, PhD
Lab Director