Upgrading of Hardware and Software at the Rutgers Electron Microprobe Facility

Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Brunswick NJ

Investigators

Abstract

9910249 Delaney This grant provides partial support for the costs of upgrading the Rutgers University Electron Microprobe (EMP) Facility in the Department of Geological Sciences. Matching funds secured through the NASA Cosmochemistry program will combine with funds from this grant to upgrade the 1987 vintage JEOL JXA-8600 Superprobe from its present DEC PDP 11-based computer control system to a PC-based system running Windows NT. A modern PC-based automation system will be capable of integrated wavelength dispersive and energy dispersive spectroscopy and backscattered electron imaging and will dramatically extend the useful life and capabilities of a still viable EMP. The EMP will be used in continuing microanalytical studies of achondritic meteorites, volcanic glasses and high pressure experimental charges by faculty at Rutgers including Jeremy Delaney, Roger Hewins and Claude Herzberg. In addition, the EMP will facilitate studies by regional geoscientists from Bryn Mawr and West Chester Universities. ****