The Horiba LabRAM Odyssey, arriving in spring 2025, will bring advanced Raman spectroscopy to our lab. Featuring an Olympus BXFM microscope, motorized stage, transmitted light capabilities, and compatibility with our Linkam stages, it offers unparalleled versatility. With 532 and 785 nm lasers, high-resolution 300, 600, 1800, and 2400 gr/mm gratings, and an upgraded multichannel detector, this instrument will enable precise analysis of mineral structures, compositions, and fluid inclusions, advancing our research into critical mineral systems and carbonate diagenesis. Click here to read the full specifications of the instrument.

Our lab features an Olympus BX51 optical microscope equipped with UV illumination and infrared capabilities, ideal for studying fluid and melt inclusions as well as traditional optical microscopy. Complementing this, we utilize a Linkam THMSG600 heating-freezing stage, enabling precise measurements across a temperature range of -195°C to +600°C, and a Linkam TS1400XY stage for high-temperature experiments up to 1400°C. Additionally, we refurbished a classic gas-flow heating-freezing stage, which was recently installed in our new ASTeCC location to further expand our experimental capabilities.

Our lab is also equipped with an Olympus BX43 optical microscope paired with a vintage Technosyn cold-cathode stage, enabling detailed study of cathodoluminescent patterns in cements and replacement minerals. This technique provides valuable insights into the growth history, composition, and diagenetic processes of minerals, offering a powerful tool for reconstructing fluid histories and mineralization events. This capability complements our broader research on carbonate diagenesis and critical mineral systems.