The Electron Microprobe Laboratory is a campus-wide and regional analytical and imaging facility available to University of California, Davis, students, faculty, and staff, as well as off-campus users.
The centerpiece of our laboratory is a Cameca SX-100 electron microprobe, purchased in 2002 with funds from the National Science Foundation and the UC Davis Office of Research. We can provide training for those who would like to operate the instrument themselves, or we can analyze samples you send to us.
The Electron Microprobe Lab is operated by the UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences Department and is located in the Earth and Physical Sciences building.
For more information and scheduling, please contact:
- Laboratory phone: 530-752-6582
- Dr. Kari Cooper, Interim Director
- Mr. Erik Spaulding, Electron Microprobe Specialist: egspaulding@ucdavis.edu
Instrumentation: Cameca SX-100 Electron Microprobe
- 5 wavelength dispersive spectrometers (WDS)
- Bruker X-FLASH 1000 energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) with thin window for light element detection
- Large area TAP, LIF and PET crystals for high sensitivity trace element analysis
- High precision sample stage with 0.1 um stepping capability
- Windows 10 operating system
- Cameca Peak Site analysis and imaging software
- Bruker Esprit EDS software
- Probe Software PictureSnapApp interactive image-based navigation and notation software
Analyses and Imaging Capabilities:
- Quantitative analyses from Z = 4 (Be) to 92 (U) uranium
- Special capabilities for quantitative analysis of light elements, Z = 4 (Be) to Z= 8 (O)
- Capability for high resolution elemental mapping and trace element analysis at low concentrations (generally to 100’s of ppm)
- High speed back scattered electron (BSE) imaging
- Transmitted and reflected light imaging
- Automatable calibration and analysis
- Wide range of in-house calibration standards for quantitative analyses of silicates, sulfides, carbonates, oxides, alloys from the C.M. Taylor Corporation, The Smithsonian, and others
Rates: Rates are subject to change.(last updated 07/01/2022)
Please contact the lab for the most up-to-date service rates.
- $50/hr for on-campus users who can operate independently* and when the machine is running automatically
- $67/hr for off-campus users from non-profit organizations who can operate independently* and when the machine is running automatically
- $120/hr for on-campus users who need operator assistance
- $160/hr for off-campus users from non-profit organizations who need operator assistance
- $300/hr for off-campus, for-profit businesses (includes operator)
*Training can be provided for those who would like to operate the instrument themselves.