The Electron Microprobe serves a wide range of S.O.E.S.T. scientists. Researchers from Geology and Geophysics, Planetary Geology, High Pressure Mineral Physics, Oceanography, and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute utilize the microprobe for High Quality, Quantitative Microanalysis of a variety of materials.

Facility Directors

Dr. Eric Hellebrand : (email: ericwgh@hawaii.edu)

Dr. Sarah Bean Sherman: (email: macbeanur@yahoo.com)

Dr. Michael Garcia : (email: garcia@soest.hawaii.edu)

For more information or questions, visit our individual home pages or send email.

Facility Overview

EQUIPMENT

• 1992 CAMECA SX50 Electron Microprobe
• 5 wavelength dispersive spectrometers.
• PC-based control using SAMx software.
• Fast digital scanning for real-time image acquisition.
• Fully Automated Stage Control with Automatic Focusing for Unattended Analysis.
• Network connection for data transfer.
• Kevex EDS

TYPICAL ANALYTICAL PROBLEMS WE WORK ON

• Major and minor element analysis of rock forming minerals from igneous and metamorphic rocks (olivine, pyroxene, oxides, feldspar, amphiboles etc...).
• Characterization of phases and elemental distribution in meteorites.
• Volcanic glass from ocean floor and Hawaiian basalts.
• Volatile species in volcanic glass and glass inclusions within minerals.
• Characterization of high-pressure experimental run products.
• Minor element variation in fish otoliths (earbones).
• Minor element variation in coral.
• Composition of hydrothermal atleration products.

Koolau volcano project
Implications for Life on Mars
BSE Image Showing Homogeneity Problems In Glass Strip-Fusions.
BSE Image of Minor Element Zoning in Zircon
Enhanced X-ray Maps of Olivine Zoning
Mineral and Whole Rock Data Combined for Petrogenetic Interpretation of Kilauea Lavas

MICROPROBE USERS

Faculty

• Dr. Michael Garcia
• Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Krot
• Dr. Klaus Keil
• Dr. Richard Radtke
• Dr. Patricia Fryer
• Dr. John Sinton
• Dr. Stephen Self
• Dr. Ken Rubin

Post-Docs & Researchers

• Sarah Bean Sherman (GG)
• Tim Fagan (HIGP)
• Menghua Liu (HIGP)
• Robert Humphreys (NOAA)

Students

• Kierstin Swanson
• Eric Bergmanis
• Yucheng Pan
• Margaret Milman
• Tara Hicks
• Lewis Pinault
• Mike Davis
• Kirti Sharma
• Buffy Cushman
• Eric Haskins
• Linda Hall

USER FEES

Independent operation of the Electron Microprobe costs $15/hour.
Analysis performed by the lab facility cost $60-$100/hour.
A training course is taught every fall semester (GG621).

Other probe-related web sites

• EPMA & SEM facilities, World Wide.
• U. Mass. Probe Image of the Week.

SOEST WEB Links

This page maintained by Sarah Bean Sherman
Last update: 31 October 2000