The laboratory is equipped with sputter coating (either metal or carbon) tools for depositing a conductive layer on geological samples prior to SEM analyses, as well as grinding and cutting tools. The conductive layer prevents sample charging during SEM imaging. Our coating instruments include a Leica EM ACE600 metal (Ir) coater with tilting/rotating stage, and a Ladd Vacuum 30008FT Carbon Rod Evaporator. For precise cutting of rock samples, we have a south bay 650 diamond saw and for smooth surface polishing we have Allied High-Tech Products M-Prep 5 Grinder/Polisher.
![Iridium coater](https://www.beg.utexas.edu/files/SEM%20lab/2022/Ir%20coater.jpg)
Iridium coater
![Carbon coater](https://www.beg.utexas.edu/files/SEM%20lab/2022/Carbon%20Coater.jpg)
Carbon coater
![Diamond Saw](https://www.beg.utexas.edu/files/SEM%20lab/2022/Diamond%20SAW.jpg)
Diamond Saw
![Polisher and Grinder](https://www.beg.utexas.edu/files/SEM%20lab/2022/Polisher%20and%20Grinder.jpg)
Polisher and Grinder