Earth Sciences Microscopy Facility

We have a suite of Zeiss and Leica stereo microscopes (e.g., Stemvi, Discovery V8) with high-end image capture capabilities for standard reflected light work, e.g., picking and identification of particles including foraminifera, vertebrate microremains and ash. Some microscopes have long arm stands for the study of larger specimens and a camera lucida drawing tube. As well as set-ups optimised for palaeobotany and analysis of wafered sections and peels of 3-dimentional plant fossils.

A Zeiss Axioskop Pol is utilised primarily for hard tissue histological thin section analysis, equipped with polarised light and Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast with objectives up to 100 x. We also have a Zeiss Axioskop 40, set-up for bright field, dark field, phase contrast, VAREL contrast and polarization contrast. Well suited to palynological and assorted micropalaeontological research. Objectives range from 1 x for large field observations and up to x 100 oil immersion lenses. This latter setup can be readily changed into a fluid inclusion microscope with a heating/cooling stage and long working distance objectives by changing the condenser, stage and lenses. 

In addition to the above capabilities, a Zeiss AxioScope A1 is fitted with a Märzhäuser motorised stage, with Cartograph image capture software, for automated transmitted light slide scanning. This is configured for calcareous nannofossil imaging using plane-, crossed- and circular-polarized transmitted light with a 100x oil immersion objective, but can be used with lower power air objectives for other purposes.

A suite of microscopes (e.g., Zeiss Axioplan 2 and Stemvi) suited to study the optical properties of minerals, rocks and fossils in thin section including textures such as size, shape and microstructures. Microscopes have a range of lenses that allows for examination under transmitted, reflected and polarised light illumination. 

A Zeiss Florescence microscope providing florescence illumination on specimens housed in a space with light excluding curtains. Example use includes observing and recording lamina within stalagmites and other seasonally laminated lithologies.  

We have a Nikon Ophiophoto CL microscope with cathode-illumination used to examine thin sections of solids, e.g., rocks, minerals, volcanic ash, glass etc. The CL provides insight into the internal structure of rocks, crystals and sedimentary structures to gain information on composition, growth, fabrics etc  

A compact user-friendly SEM system offering high resolution imaging and analysis capabilities. System includes Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) capabilities allowing for rapid and accurate elemental analysis of samples. 

A Zeiss Tessovar is available, which provides a depth of field not achievable in conventional microscopes. It is most often used for specimens that are too large for binocular microscopes but too small for conventional macro-photography. It can be adapted for specific purposes including transmitted and or reflected light illumination and has both ring lights and fibre optic spot illuminators.