Infrastructure

 

Electron Microprobe Laboratory
The electron microprobe is by far the most widely used instrument for non-destructive in-situ X-ray microanalysis of geological, metallurgical, and other materials. Section 4.2 of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum maintains two electron microprobes, a JEOL JXA-8500F and a CAMECA SX-100.

SIMS Laboratory
The secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) or ion probe uses a focused ion beam to sputter material from the polished surface of the sample. This material is ionized and accelerated into a mass spectrometer.  Important characteristics of SIMS is high sensitivity compared to other microbeam techniques, with  detection limits in the parts-per-billion range for many elements.  The technique can also perform  isotopic analyses in situ on very small sample volumes.

Isotope geochemistry Laboratory
Determination of isotope ratios on geological material for isotope geochemical tracing and geochronology

Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry

Out of the vast field of open questions in geochemistry, we concentrate on seven distinct topics. One example of our work is the dating of metamorphic minerals with the goal of characterizing the geologic development of mountain ranges like the Alps. The ore-rich Erzgebirge in south-eastern Germany, part of the Variscic Orogen in Central Europe, lends itself as a prime example to investigate material flows and cycles. Magma was intruded into these mountains, which we later leached to generate massive ore bodies. We also work on gas hydrate and investigate how these substances – ice-like compounds made from water and gas - are generated and how they decay. We also do research on processes inside the Earth's crust and near its surface, in which fluids and gases play a major role. Such fluids transport material and energy, induce mineral reactions and control diagenetic and metamorphic proceses as well as the formation of ore bodies. We also investigate which role degassing plays as potential precursors to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally we concern ourselves with the geochemical behaviour of noble gases. We use them as tracers through which we can follow the movement for melts and fluids and determine their respective origins.

To perform our work we have at our disposal a vast array of major tools for chemical analysis, which we operate in conventional and clean room laboratories. This is supplemented by sophisticated devices for sample preparation. We open up this unique infrastructure not only to various working groups within the GFZ but also to outside researchers. Most of our projects in fundamental and applied Earth sciences are a part of national and international research initiatives.

Microscopy and Microthermometry
Facilities for microscopy include a polarizing research microscope for transmitted and reflected light and a stereomicroscope for work at low magnification. Both are equipped for analog and digital microphotography. Heating and cooling stages for in-situ study of fluid and melt inclusions in minerals are maintained in the Raman spectroscopy lab. We also operate a Vernadsky heating stage, whose low thermal mass and inert gas flow (dry He) avoids oxidation of host minerals and provides rapid quench of inclusion glasses.

The Noble Gas Laboratory
The noble gases (or "rare gases") helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon are chemically inert. Due to their volatile nature they have a strong tendency to partition into gas or fluid phases and can be used as tracers for the origin and the transport of fluids.

Other analytical facilities
A wide range of other analytical methods and facilities for rock, mineral and fluid analyses are maintained by Section 4.2.

Raman Spectroscopy Lab
The GFZ Raman Spectroscopy Laboratory uses a Horiba Jobin Yvon Laser Raman Triple LABRAM spectrometer equipped with an Olympus optical microscope.  The confocal technique provides an efficient way to obtain interference-free Raman spectra  in-situ on  small specimens embedded in a transparent matrix.

Rock and Mineral Preparation
The best analytical equipment has no value without good samples. Complete facilities for crushing, sieving and grinding  of rock samples are maintained in Section 4.2 and we share facilities for mineral separation with other sections.  We also maintain a fully-equipped laboratory for the preparation of thin and polished sections and polished grain mounts, which supports the  petrographic and microbeam research.

X-Ray Laboratories
There are two main applications of X-Ray radiation in geochemical and mineralogic research. One is to determine the crystal structure of solids  (X-Ray Diffraction or XRD). The other application determines the chemical composition of samples ( X-Ray Fluorescence or XRF).