See all workshops @ AMAS XVII

Topics covered in this workshop include:

• Introduction to sample preparation requirements for cold stage, including the need for thin metal coats which are mechanically able to withstand the stress of being cooled and any changes in sample while cooling.
• Introduction to how cryo-cooled specimen stages use cool nitrogen gas, in preference to liquid nitrogen, to reduce mechanical vibration and to decouple from the cryogenic liquid supply. The discussion will include cryo-stage design to minimise mechanical drift.
• Discussion on minimising ice formation on the cryogenically cooled sample surface, including best practices and strategies to remove ice.
• Theory and practice of cryo-microanalysis or the analysis of minerals with high water content. These minerals cannot have accurate microanalysis performed at room temperature. Many secondary highly hydrated minerals suffer for beam instability at room temperature.
• Demonstration of cryo-CL imaging where we see 5-10 times increases in cathodoluminescence emission due to the removal of thermal robbing processes.

Two EPMA laboratories at CSIRO are equipped with Gatan-JEOL cold stages and different generations of the Gatan temperature controllers. Live demonstrations are planned.

The convenors of the Cryo-EPMA workshop are Nick Wilson and Colin MacRae, CSIRO Mineral Resources, Clayton, Australia

The workshop will be held in the morning of Monday the 9th of February, starting at 9AM.

GK Williams Room, Bld 121, Western Precinct, CSIRO Clayton Site, Research Way, Clayton. Go to CSIRO Western reception.