NERC Ion Microprobe Facility

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) facility for high-sensitivity chemical microanalysis

Edinburgh IMS 1300-HR

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) is used for the chemical and isotopic analysis of small volumes of solid material down to parts per billion for many elements. The facility is supported by the School of GeoSciences and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), under its National Capability portfolio. The facility supports in-house research, national & international academic access, and commercial services.

Access and costs

The facility can be accessed on a pay as you go basis by UK or international researchers. 


Anyone eligible to receive NERC-funding can apply for facility time. Please find guidance, application forms and deadlines below.

 

We are currently offering free instrument time for small pilot projects not eligible for NERC funding.

Instrument specification and virtual tours

Find technical information including instrument specification and support equipment available. You can also access 360 virtual views.

Publications, reports and projects

Explore publications and theses which used facility data, as well as NERC-approved projects and scientific reports from the EIMF.

SIMS technique and user guides

Information on the SIMS technique and guidance on how to prepare and submit samples for analysis at the NERC Ion Microprobe facility.

Contact and location

Contact

Enquiries and requests: ionprobe@ed.ac.uk

Cameca IMS 1300 Laboratory: +44 (0) 7552 265887Cameca 7f-Geo Laboratory: +44 (0) 7552 265946
Dr Jens BaroschJens.Barosch@ed.ac.ukIon Microprobe Specialist
Dr Cees-Jan De HoogCeesJan.DeHoog@ed.ac.ukIon Microprobe Specialist
Dr Cristina TalaveraCristina.Talavera@ed.ac.ukIon Microprobe Specialist, Facility Manager
Dr Alan HastieAlan.Hastie@ed.ac.ukCo-PI and NERC IMF Committee Member
Prof Linda KirsteinLinda.Kirstein@ed.ac.ukPI and NERC IMF Committee Member

Follow us on Bluesky: @eimf.bsky.social

Location

The NERC Ion Microprobe Facility is located in the Grant Institute, EMMAC corridor, rooms 108-113.

Address: Ionprobe Facility, The University of Edinburgh, School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK.

Please note that parking on campus is strictly by permit only, and parking spaces are subject to availability. Commercial and external users should contact our staff about parking arrangements.  


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