Instruments and Capabilities
MEDAL Facilities
Superconducting Rock Magnetometer & RAPID sample changer
[Not yet installed] Can measure paleomagnetic directions and magnetic properties of various materials. The RAPID sample changer allows for remote and automatic operation, allowing ~100x more throughput than most paleomagnetism labs.
Vibrating Sample Magnetometer
[Not yet installed] Measures the magnetic properties of most materials, can produce FORC diagrams and hysteresis curves. Can measure these properties at high and low temperatures.
Kappabridge Susceptibility Meter
[Not yet installed] Measures the magnetic susceptibility of rocks, soils, and other solid material. Can also measure anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility.
Electronics Assembly Station
This area is used to assemble custom field-deployable scientific instruments. Includes prototyping boards, soldering station, 3D printer, power supplies, and much more.
Department Facilities
We have access to (and frequently use) the following Geology & Geophysics Department facilities
Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF)
Can measure major and minor element abundances in the field
RAMAN
For identification of minerals
Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR)
For determining volatile contents (H2O, CO2) of mineral samples.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
Multipurpose tool for imaging and identification of samples at extremely high resolution
Electron Microprobe (EPMA)
Collects major-element geochemical data of mineral samples.
Petrographic Microscopes with Fluid Inclusion Stage
Used for analysis of fluid inclusions in minerals.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
Used for precise determination of major and minor element abundances of bulk samples.
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
Used for mineral identification and precise determination of mineral structures.
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS)
Used primarily for U-Pb dating of zircons, but can be used for a wide variety of isotopic analyses.
Computing Clusters
We use computing clusters as part of our thermal analyses. https://www.uwyo.edu/arcc/index.html
Near-Surface Geophysics Instrumentation Center
Hosts a wide variety of geophysical instruments. https://www.uwyo.edu/geolgeophys/research/near-surface-geophysics.html
Rock Preparation Facilities
Includes a variety of saws, grinders, drills, etc.