CU Electron Microprobe Laboratory​

Facility summary

 303-735-2413  aaron.bell@colorado.edu  Website

  • Location: BESC 125A
  • Technology focus: Electron microprobe analysis
  • Available techniques / equipment summary: Quantitative WDS analysis, WDS element mapping (1 μm pixel resolution), EDS analysis, JEOL 8230 Electron Microprobe, Leica ACE600
  • Open to: CU Boulder, and external users nationwide

The electron microprobe is the premiere instrument for performing non-destructive, in-situ, quantitative chemical analysis of solid materials via wavelength dispersive spectrometry. EMP surface analyses provide chemical information with a high degree of spatial resolution with analytical volumes as low as 3-5 μm3. Elements ranging from Boron (Z=5) to Uranium (Z=92) can be routinely analyzed with detection limits as low as 50 ppm. The EML is housed within the Department of Geological Sciences. The lab is equipped with JEOL 8230 Electron Microprobe. This instrument was purchased in 2017  with an NSF MRI award. The laboratory also contains a Leica ACE600 carbon thin film evaporation system for the preparation of non-conductive samples.  ​​

Common Applications Include: Mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, metallurgy, materials science, monazite U-Th-Pb geochronolgy, archeometry and glass science​

Dr. Aaron S. Bell

Aaron S. Bell, PhD
Lab Director