Analytical methods available at the department of mineralogy (University of Geneva)
1. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses
Analysis type |
Analytical method and instrument |
Responsible in Geneva |
Localization of instrument |
| Radiogenic isotope laboratory | Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS, MAT Finnigan 262): Rb, Sr, Sm, Nd U and Pb isotope ratios on rocks and minerals U-Pb dating of zircon, monazite, xenotime, and others cleain-air laboratories for low-level isotope chemistry. | U. Schaltegger, D. Fontignie, M. Chiaradia | B65, B61-B64 |
| 40Ar/39Ar dating facility | Argon isotope mass spectrometry using a GV ARGUS multi-collector, magnetic sector mass spectrometer, equipped with a furnace, IR and UV lasers. 40Ar/39Ar dating of minerals and whole rocks. | M. Dungan, R. Spikings | B52 |
| Major and trace element geochemistry | XR Fluorescence PHILIPS PW 2400. ELSTE lab at Lausanne. | F. Capponi | CAM, UNIL (H.-R. Pfeifer, J.-C. Lavanchy) |
| Trace element geochemistry | Perkin Elmer PQ ICP-MS for analysis of rare earth and selected trace elements from solutions | U. Schaltegger, M. Senn | Institut Forel, Versoix |
| Crystal phase identification | Powder X-ray diffraction PHILIPS X'Pert-APD | F. Capponi, H. Catchpole, M. Senn | B55 |
| Fluid inclusions | Standard transmitted-light microscopy and Linkam heating-freezing stage for transparent minerals Infrared-light microscope equipped with an infrared-sensitive video camera and an USGS heating-freezing stage for some opaque minerals | R. Moritz | A601 |
| Raman spectrometer LABRAM with He-Ne laser (632.8 Nm) | R. Moritz | A601 | |
| Reflected and transmitted light microscopy | Various reflected and transmitted light microscopes (Leica). | L. Fontboté and K. Kouzmanov | A601 and A606 |
| Nomarski prism (study of plagioclase zoning) | M. Dungan | A709 | |
| Micro- and macro-photography | Reflected light Transmitted light and macrophotography | A601, A709 |
2. Other
Type |
Responsible in Geneva |
Localization |
| Thin, polished, and double polished thin section preparation | J.-M. Boccard | B13 |
| Sample preparation: rock crushing and milling, heavy mineral separation using Wilfley table. | R. Spikings | Building B, 3rd floor |
| Mineral separation: heavy liquid separation, Frantz magnetic separator, thermal and mechanical treatment of zircon before analysis. | R. Spikings | B61, B51 and B53 |
