LSU Researchers Enhance Electron Microscope for Geological Studies

Two researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU) have successfully upgraded the university’s scanning electron microscope, significantly enhancing its capabilities for geological research. Brandon Shuck and Erini Poulaki led the initiative, securing $26,000 for the installation of the new AZtec software. This upgrade improves the microscope’s ability to gather energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data, crucial for analyzing mineral compositions and structures.

The EDS technique allows researchers to conduct elemental analysis by firing a beam of electrons at samples, prompting them to emit characteristic X-rays. EBSD, on the other hand, examines the internal crystal structure of minerals. Poulaki explained, “Electrons hit the sample, and then the electrons are reflected on the sample and onto the EBSD detector. They have very specific patterns known as Kikuchi Bands.” This capability enables researchers to determine the orientation of mineral crystals, providing insights into potential misalignments or deformations within samples.

The upgraded software allows the geology department to utilize the scanning electron microscope more effectively, a move that has been long anticipated. Poulaki noted that the microscope had primarily been used by engineering departments, which typically focus on homogeneous metals. In contrast, geology research often involves heterogeneous rocks with diverse mineral compositions. “We needed a way to collect data on a very large area, considering the spatial extent of different minerals,” she added.

The enhancements are purely software-based, meaning the physical hardware of the microscope remains unchanged. Nonetheless, the software upgrade significantly boosts the department’s analytical capabilities. Shuck emphasized the critical nature of the upgrade, stating, “It sounds trivial. But this is the software that runs the acquisition, collects the data, and processes it. It was a very expensive piece of software.”

Initially, the researchers approached Oxford Instruments, the company behind the AZtec software, expecting a modest cost for the upgrade. However, the extensive data collection and processing capabilities quickly revealed a higher price tag. The upgraded microscope can now create detailed maps of heterogeneous minerals, a task that would have been impractical before the enhancements. Shuck remarked, “Without this software upgrade, you would have to manually move the microscope for 24 hours to collect data and then stitch it together, which wouldn’t work.”

To secure funding for the upgrades, Shuck prepared a proposal to the LSU Board of Regents, requesting to allocate resources from the equipment repair fund. This funding covered a significant portion of the software cost, with additional contributions from the geology and geophysics departments.

The scanning electron microscope has transitioned from a specialized tool with limited applications to a versatile instrument capable of daily data collection and analysis. Shuck stated, “For the geoscience department, it was basically a fancy piece of equipment that we couldn’t really use for our research applications. Now with this investment, it unlocks a lot of cool research potential.”

This software upgrade signifies a substantial investment in research capabilities at LSU, underscoring the university’s commitment to supporting advancements in geoscience and related fields.