The Laboratory and applications

The Laboratory features 6 new Nikon Eclipse Ci POL petrographic microscopes and 1 Nikon Eclipse LV100 POL petrographic microscope; these microscopes can be used to analyze samples at the microscopic scale using plane-polarized transmitted light to identify different rocks and minerals by their optical characteristics. Some properties that can be observed using this microscope include refractive index, birefringence, pleochroism, isotropism/anisotropism, relief, and optic sign. 

In addition, the lab hosts a CITL CL8200 Mk5-2 Optical cathodoluminescence microscope stage attached to a Nikon Optiphot petrographic microscope, which is used to analyze the luminescence of rocks and minerals during electron bombardment. This microscope is fitted with a Peltier-cooled camera attachment that can project images on a monitor screen via computer hookup for high-quality imaging. This microscope can be used to determine different rocks and minerals from their optical characteristics within a sample. Sample types are placed within the vacuum chamber and then hit with a beam of electrons that produces cathodoluminescence during the release of photons.

As part of the Microscopy lab, we also own a Zeiss Scanning Microscope used to scan thin sections for an overview of the features and components of a sample. This type of petrographic microscope can make observations in plane transmitted and cross-polarized light, reflected plane, and cross-polarized light. This microscope has a fixed stage and does not allow the rotation of the stage; therefore, pleochroism/anisotropism in minerals cannot be observed. This microscope has a Zeiss Axiocam 305 Color attachment for processing images on a computer setup.