Institute of Paleobiology has a wide variety of traditional and modern laboratories, and other facilities supporting research conducted by scientific staff and visitors.
The electron microscopy and electron microprobe laboratory has a Philips XL20 microscope, equipped with SE detector, the catodoluminescence detector as well EDAX dual-window (UTW/Open) ECON detector for X-ray energy dispersive analysis. Fully integrated SEM/EDS system DX4-I is very convenient for user, and provides good quality standardless qualitative and quantitative analisis. Colour analog mapping is possible. This instrument provides quantitative chemical analyses, secondary electron images, and analog elemental distribution maps for use in the geological, metallurgical, ceramic, anthropological, and forensic sciences. Analyses and imaging can be done on samples as small as a few microns across. The maximal sise of samples is 20mm in diameter and 10mm high. This instrument is widely used by Institute staff as well as by industrial clients.
Specimens Preparation
Samples for EPMA imaging and analysis consist of materials that
are stable in a vacuum and under a high-voltage electron beam.
Specimens for quantitative analyses must be fine polished (or
naturally have a flat surface). For EPMA analyzing non-conductive
samples must be coated with thinn carbon layer, that is also
available in Electron Probe Preparation Laboratory. For SEM
imaging we use a platinum coating by BALTEC SCD 005 sputter
coater. Specimen mounts, electroconductiv glue, tapes etc. are
available in our laboratrory.
Data storage
Storage of the output analyses is available on IBM PC onto hard
disk, floppy disks. SEM Images can also be transfered directly to
the staff e-mail accounts.
Photographic lab offers a wide range of services. Resources include dark room, fume hoods, stands, cameras, photomacroscopes, with a wide range of flash and incandescent lights, and computer system for digital imaging work.
STAFF: Tomasz Grycuk (net
administrator), Aleksandra Hołda-Michalska (graphic artist)