You analyze the world around us. Elemental Scientific laser ablation solutions can yield deeper insights.

Elemental Scientific MicroMill Laser Ablation Device.

MicroMill is a microsampling device designed for high resolution milling to recover sample powder for chemical and isotopic analysis. The combination of submicron stage resolution and positional accuracy, real-time video observation and a custom designed software system allows for sampling of complex accretionary structures in skeletal and crystalline materials.

Higher sensitivity, improved stability, and less fractionation.


MARKETS:
  • Environmental
  • Geological
  • Forensic
  • Medical
  • Mining
  • Electronic
  • Manufacturing (metals/glass/plastics)
APPLICATIONS:
  • Complex crystal growth zonation: Subsampling provides high-resolution elemental isotopic chemistries and intra-zonal variations of the crystal structure
  • Accretionary growth structure examination: Subsampling within annual growth banding of molluscan shells allows reconstructing seasonal variations present during the life of an organism, such as a clam.
  • Precise sampling of growth zones in speleothems: determine seasonal changes by precise sampling in complex growth zone profiles.
  • Sampling from otoliths and bone: evaluate elemental and isotopic composition of bonelike materials through precise milling.
MATERIALS:
  • Rocks
  • Minerals
  • Glasses
  • Plastics
  • Powders
  • Biological
  • Thin films
  • Ceramics
  • Metals
  • Alloys

Superior performance and benchmark analytical results.


HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS:
  • High-resolution stereo microscope with 6.7X to 40X optical zoom and petrographic features S-video color CCD video camera with 24.5mm to 3.3mm field of view for imaging and digitizing of sample.
  • Independent (second) color CCD camera with 3X digital magnification for in-process viewing of mill bit.
  • Automated 50mm travel in X, Y and Z stages with sub-micron step resolution.
  • Open-stage architecture accommodates large samples.
  • Software-selectable flood and transmitted lighting.
  • Continuously adjustable (360Þ) cross polarizers.
  • Low-eccentricity, high-torque DC milling chuck with variable speed (1,200 – 35,000rpm).
  • Precision tungsten-carbide milling tools for high spatial resolution.
  • Joystick stage control for manual sample positioning.
SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS:
  • MicroMill software (Windows®-based) with point-and-click functions.
  • Live video image displayed on computer monitor.
  • On-screen display of digitized and interpolated sub-sampling paths.
  • Precise depth control over entire area of sampling.
  • Z-tilt correction and contour-following functions.
  • Off-line digitized files can be read directly with software transformation of image coordinates.
  • Data record file with sample-path information and estimated sample volumes.
  • Save, recall and export images (BMP, TIF, JPG and TGA files).

Designed for analytical science in mind.

  • Sub-micron sample motion control.
  • High-precision milling.
  • Sample height detection and tilt correction by a drill-tip sensor, contour-following function.
  • Sample map navigation increases sample-area field of view.
  • 50mm of computer-driven sample movement on X, Y and Z axes.
  • Data/image file recoordination, including save, recall and export.