Research Facilities
The Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory is one of only a few in the U.S. available to a broad spectrum of researchers and collaborators. Located at the USU Innovation Campus, the Luminescence Lab is equipped with two automated TL/OSL dating systems (Risø TL/OSL-DA-20A/B), including a laser-driven single-grain attachment that allows for the dating of individual sand grains. The lab has all the facilities needed for OSL and IRSL analysis, including a dedicated sample preparation lab under constant amber safe-light conditions and with a HF-certified fume hood and everything for sample processing. The Luminescence lab is also equipped with a field portable gamma spectrometer for in-situ dose-rate measurements and an AMS hand auger system for core sample collection. The Luminescence Laboratory is directed by Geology Professor Tammy Rittenour. For more information and to explore potential collaborations or commercial sample analysis, visit the lab website (usu.edu/geo/luminlab).
The M2SL is designed for mineral and rock textural and geochemical characterization, as well as preparation for other complementary analytical techniques. This lab is equipped with two Leica M165C stereoscopes. One scope has live imaging and aliquot measurement capabilities via an attached Leica MC170HD camera interfaced with Leica Application Suite software. Petrographic scopes include two Leica DM2700P – one with fluorescent light capabilities, a Leica Z16 APO macroscope, and two Leica cameras with Leica software that interface for live imaging and photomicrographs. This lab houses prep space, including epoxy mount-making capabilities for samples analyzed in the USU Microscopy Core Facility (MCF) Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) laboratory.
The Department of Geosciences Raman spectrometer – a LabRAM HR Evolution manufactured by Horiba Instruments – analyzes the chemistry of rocks, fluids, and fluids trapped in rocks down to the micron scale. Different wavelength lasers excite molecules in the material that produce electromagnetic radiation diagnostic of the composition (mineralogy) and structural integrity (amorphous vs. crystalline). This microRaman has a true confocal aperture, automated grating, a state-of-the-art CCD for spectrograph acquisition, and sample mapping systems that allow for rapid and automated data acquisition. The LabRAM is installed on a TMC optical and anti-vibrational (pneumatic) table, ensuring high quality data. Contact lab PI, Dr. Alexis Ault, for more information.
The USU Geosciences Stable Isotope Laboratory is equipped for analyses of the “light stable isotopes” in a wide variety of materials. The core instrument is a Thermo Scientific Delta V Advantage isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) that is coupled to three peripheral devices, including a Thermo Scientific Gasbench II, Thermo Scientific TC/EA with zero-blank autosampler, and a Costech 4010 Elemental Analyzer with zero-blank autosampler. Established continuous flow – IRMS methods for natural-abundance stable isotope ratio analyses include: C and O in carbonates, C in CO2 gas, O and H in water, dissolved inorganic C in water, C and N (and TOC, TON) in organic matter, O in organic matter, and H in hydrous minerals and some organic matter. Other instrumentation includes a Picarro Isotopic CO2 Analyzer, a Sartorius microbalance, vacuum and standard ovens. The lab is located adjacent to the Geosciences Geochemistry lab that houses two fume hoods and is outfitted for general wet chemistry and sample preparation. Contact lab PI, Dr. Dennis Newell, for more information.
The Agilent 8900 Triple-Quadrupole ICP-MS is an instrument that can analyze elemental abundances and ratios, and some isotope systems at extremely high precision and low detection limits. Samples are introduced either dissolved in acidic solutions or via a laser ablation system. The 8900's QQQ tandem mass spectrometer architecture uses two sequential quadrupole mass analyzers with a collision/reaction cell in between. This ground-breaking technology allows unprecedented avoidance of tricky isobaric and polyatomic interferences by reacting either analytes or interfering ions with reactive gases (e.g. hydrogen, oxygen). The 8900 is mostly used to measure trace elements in microfossils (e.g. foraminifera) and whole-rock digests. Contact lab PI, Dr. Don Penman, for more information.
The X-Ray Analysis Laboratory is equipped with a Panalytical X’Pert Pro X-ray Diffraction Spectrometer with monochromatic Cu K-alpha radiation, as well as software to index peaks and identify minerals. For rapid characterization of composition, we have a Bruker Tracer III-V+ portable X-ray fluorescence instrument (pXRF). Contact lab PI, Dr. Kelly Bradbury for more information.