Facilities

Laser Heating and Diamond Anvil Cell Laboratory

The diamond anvil cell, when combined with a laser heating technique, represents a tool capable to subject studied materials to pressure - temperature conditions representative of deep planetary interiors. This device has been adapted to a large number of analytical techniques, ranging from polarized optical studies under microscope to advanced spectroscopic investigations using synchrotron facilities. Today, the DAC technology allows in-situ characterization of studied materials at a nearly atomic resolution, revolutionizing fields of planetary and materials sciences. To get access to the DAC please contact Peter Lazor for rates and conditions.

Raman Spectroscopic Laboratory

The laboratory runs two high-performance stationary and portable Raman spectroscopic systems, allowing range of studies at extreme conditions in a diamond anvil cell, as well as geologically and environmentally oriented studies in the field. Please, contact Peter Lazor regarding the access to this facility.

Hydrothermal Laboratory

A suite of autoclaves and ovens in this laboratory allows studies to be carried out at kilobar pressures, at temperatures reaching up to 1300 C.

Magnetic Laboratory

Magnetic experiments are carried out using Physical and Magnetic Properties Measurement Systems (PPMS & MPMS) from Quantum Design. Examples of experiments include measurements of magneto-transport and calorimetric properties, and Raman spectroscopic studies on minerals in magnetic field at pressure and temperature (0-9 T, 0-100 GPa, 4-300 K).

Electron Probe Microanalyzer EPMA

Our program operates a Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer (FE-EPMA), a JXA-8530F JEOL SUPERPROBE, equipped with five crystal spectrometers (WDS), secondary (SE), backscattered electron (BSE), and cathodoluminescence (CL) detectors. The instrument performs quantitative chemical analyses on a micrometer scale and imaging of minerals or materials down to a nanometer scale. Quantitative elemental analyses are possible in the range from Beryllium to Uranium (i.e. 90% of the periodic table). The instrument has been purchased with a grant from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and upgraded from internal resoources. To get access to the EPMA please contact Professor Jaroslaw Majka for rates and conditions.

Hans Ramberg Tectonic Laboratory (HRTL)

Evaluating the research activities at the Hans Ramberg Tectonic Laboratory, in 1993, an international group selected by the Swedish Research Council described HRTL as a "show piece of Swedish Science"!

In a recent evaluation, 2011, an international panel assessed HRTL to be “amongst the world leading laboratories in experimental structural geology”

The Hans Ramberg Tectonic laboratory is equipped with two large deformation rigs with any loading geometry at normal gravity, and, unique in Europe, two high-capacity centrifuges allowing tectonic experiments at high “g". We are now equipped with a state-of-the-art 3D laser Scanner, which captures objects in full colour with multi-laser precision. This scanner enables monitoring and analysing progressive deformation during model runs. Furthermore, we have a DHR1 high-tech rheometer for precise measurement of viscosity and elasticity of materials under different temperature and stress conditions. The laboratory is also equipped with two simple-shear boxes and instruments for measuring material properties (e.g. fractional properties of granular materials). Our world-class sand-box models performed under normal gravity simulate large-scale tectonics, distribution of seismicity in fold-thrust belts and entrainment of denser blocks by salt diapirs. We are at the leading edge with our sophisticated analogue models performed by a team of researchers with an international reputation. The laboratory hosts an almost continuous succession of visiting researchers from all over the world (e.g., Australia, China, Finland, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, and the US) to use our often-unique facilities and benefit from our expertise. The laboratory has been used to model a wide range of tectonic/structural settings:

• Initiation of shear zones
• Effect of basement faulting on the evolution of the fold-and-thrust belts
• Impact structures
• Effect of fluid-weakening on the onset of rifting.
• The relationship between pull-apart basins and salt diapirs
• Channel flow in the Himalayas
• Land slides.
• Effect of multiple shortening on structural evolution of fold-and-thrust belts.
• Initiation and spacing of faults during shortening.
• Role of basement strike-slip faulting on surface deformation.
• Rotational opening of rift systems.

To get access to the HRTL please contact Hemin Koyi for rates and conditions.