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Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungs­Zentrum (GFZ)

GFZ Potsdam

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ (www.gfz-potsdam.de) is the national research centre for Earth sciences of Germany.

Facilities

The electron microscopy facility at the GFZ has been a focal point and driving force for earth sciences, physics and chemistry research in Germany for more than 20 years. The GFZ PISA facility provides earth science-specific, state-of-the-art electron microscopes that allow various workflows for structural, crystallographic and chemical imaging both in two- and three-dimensions. 

The GFZ EM facility hosts a FIB-SEM scanning electron microscope, equipped with both chemical and crystallographic detectors, which can be operated at the environmental pressure of 40 mbar; two transmission electron microscopes (TEM), both are equipped with analytical detectors, one has a probe corrector and the SuperX and GIF Continuum spectrometers. Moreover, the facility hosts a SEM equipped with cryogenic transfer system. Together, these instruments provide all necessities for the multi-scale analysis of earth materials. 

Expertise

01
Nanoscale studies of earth materials: The facility has strong expertise in the preparation of micrometre-sized specimens via FIB-SEM nanomanipulation techniques. Through this, site-specific samples across areas of interest on earth material surfaces can be prepared for subsequent investigation within a TEM. We can also offer image and EDS Tomography.
02
Data Acquisition: Three-dimensional, nanoscale visualisation: GFZ has extensive knowledge in image acquisition, visualisation and interpretation for nanoscale-resolved, three-dimensional analysis of earth materials. These techniques encompass FIB-SEM and TEM-based tomography.
03
Crystallographic analysis of earth materials: GFZ offers a quantitative characterisation of earth materials employing EBSD from various geological environments.

Curious to learn more?

Twenty-four European facilities for electron and X-ray microscopy are joining hands. To better understand Earth and planetary materials and to together unveil the secret codes hidden under our feet. Curious? Like to learn more? Interested in gaining access to our EXCITE Imaging facilities? Please enter your email address and be one of the first geoscientists to be informed when we open calls for proposals. Other questions? Contact us here.

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