These are the instruments in my lab I use to study fossil microorganisms and the carbonaceous material and minerals of which they are made. Raman spectroscopy provides in situ, micron-scale chemical information about the organic remains of the microbes, as well chemical information of the host matrix. Combined, the Raman spectra and the 2-D and 3-D optical/chemical images produced by these techniques provide greater amounts of morphological and biochemical information than could be attained by other, more traditional means. Most important for very ancient fossil structures, these techniques can provide powerful evidence that the remains are in fact those of microorganisms.
Raman spectrometry
Organic molecular structural analyses and mineral identification
  • Horiba T64000 Raman microscope
  • Vis (458, 488, 514 nm) and UV (244, 351, 364 nm) laser lines
  • Motorized X-Y-Z stage for 2-D and 3-D chemical mapping
  • X-Y resolution, approx. 1 µm; Z resolution approx. 2 µm
  • Triple and single mode capability
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
2-D and 3-D fluorescence imaging of organic fossils
  • Olympus Fluoview 1200 CLSM
  • Five visible laser lines (458, 488, 514, 559, 635 nm)
Light Microscopy
Optical and UV fluorescence imaging of fossils and minerals
  • Several Olympus upright light microscopes and digital cameras