Melbourne Thermochronology

Melbourne Thermochronology specialises in the development and application of fission track and (U-Th-Sm)/He analyses of the common phosphate accessory mineral apatite and other uranium-enriched minerals, including zircon, titanite and monazite. We use these techniques to constrain thermal histories of the continental crust such as extension, rifting, orogenies and landscape evolution.

Agilent 7700x Q-ICP-MS

This Agilent 7700x is a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS) is attached to an ESL 193 nm excimer laser system, enabling in-situ micro-analysis of solid samples for trace element quantification to support Thermochronology and Fission Track dating applications.

LIBS analysis using the ESL ImageGeo193 Laser

The ESL ImageGeo 193 nm excimer laser system is integrated with a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) attachment.

This LIBS system can can rapidly generate and map semi-quantitative elemental abundances, including both cations and anions (such as Cl-, F- and OH-)

Emitech K550K Sputter Coater

The Emitech K550X is a desktop sputter coater designed for the deposition of gold onto specimens prior to beam-based surface analyses analysis, for example SEM, EPMA, or optical imaging.

Palladium can also be used on special request. Samples must be less than 100mm diameter.

Zeiss Axio-Image M1m (2x)

The Zeiss Axio Imager M1m is a compound microscope allowing for reflected, transmitted and circular polarized-light.

This unit is optimized for high-resolution imaging and quantitative petrographic or materials analysis. It is equipped with a motorized XYZ stage allowing for fully automated movement and imaging.

This configuration supports automated grain location, coordinate registration, and imaging workflows.

Struers LaboPol-30

The Struers LaboPol is a precision grinding and polishing system designed for the controlled preparation of metallographic, petrographic, and mineral specimens.

The system supports both manual and automated operation from 1200# to 0.25 micron diamond plates and polishing mediums.

Struers Accutom-100

The Struers Accutom-100 is a computer-controlled precision cutting system designed for accurate sectioning of solid materials with minimal deformation and thermal damage.

The Accutom-100 accommodates diamond cutoff wheels and diamond grinding plates. Cutoff kerf is around 0.8mm.

Struers CitoVav

The Struers CitoVac is a vacuum impregnation system designed for epoxy mounting of porous, cracked, or fragile specimens prior to polishing or microanalysis.

(U-Th)/He thermochronology He line - general use

This customised He mass spectrometer is support instrumentation to (U-Th)/He thermochronology, with U-Th analyses conducted through the Melbourne Analytical Geochemistry facilities within MIA.

Zeiss Axio-Image Z1m - confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM)

The Zeiss Axio Imager Z1m is a compound microscope optimized for high-resolution imaging and quantitative petrographic or materials analysis.

This unitis equipped with a laser scanning confocal module allowing for solid material surface characterization as sub-microscope scale.

This configuration supports automated grain location, coordinate registration, and imaging workflows.