Carbon Sputter Coater

Faculty in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) and research scientists in the Kentucky Geologic Survey (KGS) conduct research into the geologic occurrence of minerals containing elements deemed “critical minerals” for the transition to renewable energy systems. These minerals include monazite (nominally CePO4, but containing all the light rare earth elements: LREE), zircon (ZrSiO4), ilmenite (FeTiO3), rutile (TiO2), and sphalerite (ZnS) (critical elements underlined). Analytical tools for this research include the scanning electron microscope (for imaging and semi-quantitative chemical analysis) and electron probe microanalyzer (for imaging and quantitative analysis). Both instruments are housed in the jointly managed EES-KGS electron microbeam analysis facility in Rm. 116 MMRB. Sample preparation for electron beam analysis requires evaporating a thin carbon coat onto a polished thin section or mineral grain/crystal using a carbon evaporating system. This proposal requests modest funds to purchase a new bench-top carbon coater to replace a ~50 year old and failing carbon evaporator. The new coater will permit any student or faculty user to prepare their samples in a consistent manner and without relying on the lab director, who currently conducts all carbon coating of samples.