Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

"An Invaluable Pretreatment Tool"

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) can be used to magnify objects up to 10,000 times. SEM photographs showing microscopic details provide very useful information in the interpretation of radiocarbon dates. For instance, SEM can be used to distinguish primary vs. secondary shell structure and to identify very small wood, charcoal, and carbonate samples. SEM micrographs are also an excellent addition to reports and theses. We highly recommend this analysis through your own sources, or if not available, by our services.

1. Primary CaCO3, 690x
2. Samples and pencil point 6x, light photo.
3. Planktonic foraminifera, 95x, SEM
4. Secondary CaCO3, 690x, SEM
5. Cedar or cypress, 180x, SEM
6. CaCO3 foram infilling, 1360x, SEM

APPROPRIATE MATERIALS:

SEM is especially useful for AMS samples. It is recommended for: (1) very small carbonates which cannot be pretreated (forams, ostracads, coccoliths); (2) unidentified macro-fossils concentrated from sediments; and (3) wood or charcoal for which some taxon identification is useful.

THE SERVICE:

Three (3) micrographs of various angles and/or magnifications are provided for each sample. Micrographs are obtained on a representative portion of the material submitted for radiocarbon dating, not on the dated material itself. The technician will usually be able to choose the angles and magnifications which are most appopriate. The service does not include identification or characterization, but wherever possible, some will be provided. (CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE COSTS).