Acquisition of an electron microprobe

University Of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM

Investigators

Abstract

0112339 Brearley This grant provides partial support to the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico (UNM) for the acquisition of a new electron microprobe (EMP) for petrologic and cosmochemical research. A companion proposal submitted concurrently to NASA's Cosmochemistry program will also be funded and together with UNM matching funds, will allow the department to purchase a state-of-the-art EMP with five wavelength dispersive spectrometers and light element analytical capabilities. The new EMP will replace an aging JEOL 733 Superprobe (vintage '83) and will be maintained within the Electron Microbeam Analysis Facility at UNM which also houses a modern SEM and TEM and is staffed by a full time research associate with expertise in electron microscopy. The instrument will support a wide range of research programs within the department and in collaboration with nearby scientists from Sandia National Laboratory including petrologic studies of high pressure mantle phases, investigations of the Precambrian tectonics of the southwest U.S., low temperature geochemistry and petrologic investigations of meteorites. The instrument will also support a large and active graduate student population. ***