Understanding
the fundamental
processes thatshape theuniverse

ZEISS Microscopy Solutions for Geosciencezeiss.com/geosciencesGeoscience

Geoscience is a critical fundamental research topic focused on
the examination of processes that govern the formation andevolution of the world around us. It also underpins the processes
that control its economic development and utilization. Frommicropaleontology to mineralogical studies to the modeling of
three-dimensional fluid flow, ZEISS Microscopy has provided
geoscientific imaging and analysis solutions for over one hundredyears. From educating the next generation of geoscientists to thelatest advances in technologies such as non-destructive 3D X-ray
microscopy and quantitative mineral mapping, ZEISS enables
you to gain unparalleled knowledge from your geoscientificspecimens from the macro- to the nanoscale.

2 mmGreen - brown biotite books with pleochroic haloes.

3Geoscience Research
Understanding the fundamental processes
that have shaped the Universe

Fundamental investigations

Sedimentology

require the highest data integrity,

Perform detailed investigations ofimage quality and collaboration

clastic, carbonate and evaporitic

across scientific disciplines. Gainingrocks and understand weathering anda greater understanding of theerosion processes that both shaped

Universe on a fundamental level

the geological features of the Earthis possible by performing moreand defined the conditions necessary

detailed analyses across a wide

to generate crude oil in conventional
2 µm

spectrum of technologies

10 mmreservoirs.

and length scales.
ZEISS offers the widest and most

Peralkaline granite: showing rare earth elements.

Biostratification of foraminifera: protists with shells

Fracture in a sandstone created using integrated in situ uniaxial load cell.

Use automated grain size and shapeZEISS Mineralogic

made of silica.

Imaged with ZEISS Xradia Versa 3D X-ray microscope.

measurements to understand environ-

ZEISS Sigma scanning electronic microscopeadvanced portfolio of microscopy

mental conditions of formation andwith backscattered imaging

techniques. Correlative solutions enable

use correlative microscopy to blend

you to seamlessly incorporate data

mineralogy data from polarized lightfrom a variety of analytical techniques,microscopes and automated mineral-providing you with an easy-to-use

ogy to provide textural knowledge.

environment that correlates images
and data, and also enables global

Determine stratigraphic sequencescollaboration. Incorporating data fromfrom micro-fossils through both

optical, electron and X-ray microscopy

SEM imaging and X-ray microscopy.

enables you to understand samples

Use detailed data on the organism’s

from a multidimensional perspective.

structure to identify species and
10 mm

These integrated multi-modal data can

500 µmthen be passed through powerful new

timescales of formation.

machine- learning algorithms, enabling

Volume segmentation showing interior location

Dunite: circular polarization.

Multiscale big data visualization with a Google Earth-like view of carbonate sample using web-based interfaces.

transformative new techniques forof gold in core sample.

ZEISS Axio Imager

Data captured by ZEISS Axioscan 7 Geo automated petrographic thin-section scanner.

geological microanalysis.

4development level to provide geological

ZEISS Xradia Versa X-ray microscope

5Geoscience Research

Small carbonaceous fossils (shrimp-like crustaceans) in mudrock samples from the Cambrian age imaged with ZEISS Axio Imager.
Image courtesy Dr. Tom H.P. Harvey, University of Leicester, UK

Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology
ZEISS microscopes have been used
to analyze and describe magmatic,volcanic and metamorphic processes
for over 100 years. Advances in tech-5 mm

nology allow researchers to now
quantify mineral distributions, automate
large-scale analyses, and describe
structures in 3D, and integrate all of
this data together to facilitates a better

100 µmunderstanding of the dynamic forcesthat shape the world around us.

Interior tomography of shark's tooth fossil. Image entire tooth at low resolution to find macroscopic blood vessel distribution. Conduct high resolution interior scan
to identify dentin, enamel, recrystallized nerve bundle and sheath, blood vessels. Locate individual blood vessels serving each tooth.

Zircon samples with fluorite vein imaged with cathodoluminescence.

The high throughput digitization of
optical thin sections provides a map forhigh resolution analyses. These analyses
can range from automated quantitativemineralogy using EDS to more complex
microanalysis techniques. These could
include the coupled imaging of zircon

1 mm
5 µm

1 µm

1 µm

1 µmzoning using cathodo-luminescence
detection and correlative workflows to

Photomicrograph from ZEISS Sigma 300 using the SE detector and Atlas 5 showing the oblate and cylindrical melanosomes from the fossilized eye of T. gregarium.

LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively

Image courtesy of Prof Sarah Gabbott, University of Leicester, UK

coupled plasma mass spectrometry).

Mineralogic scan of Scottish Lamprophyres showing feldspathic inclusions with myrmekite exsolution of quartz

Paleontology

Non-destructive imaging of irre-Additionally, high resolution

You can even integrate multiple

Paleontology allows researchers toplaceable samples can be accomplishedmicropalentology using scanningmicroscopy techniques with machine

unlock the secrets of the billion-yearusing multiscale 3D X-ray microscopy.

electron microscopy allows you

learning analysis to automate rapid,

history of a living Earth. Traditional

This allows you to make 3D morpho-

to examine structure down to thelarge-area mineral classification overpaleontological research has required

logical measurements on internal

nanometer scale. Large area automateda wide range of length scales.

samples to be removed from storagestructures without interfering withand high resolution imaging allows

media or cut out from their host rock.

the sample in any way.

for large samples to be scanned toin a mixed feldspathic (plagioclase, albite and orthoclase) matrix.

provide high resolution yet contextual
understandings of your samples.

67Geoscience Research

Peralkaline Granite, Northern Quebec, Canada, containing rare earth elements, including a fluorite vein that crosscuts the sample and zoned zircons.

Image precious samples non-destructively.
Rare 4.5 billion year old Sutter’s Mill carbonaceouschondrite meteorite. CT imaging with ZEISS Xradia
Versa X-ray microscope. Iron or iron sulfide (yellow)
in a matrix (blue) containing Mg, Si, Al, Ca, C, and O.
Image width = 9 mm.
Courtesy of Prof. Qing-Zhu Yin, University ofCalifornia at Davis, USA.

1 cm

Microanalysis of precious samples“Scout” the entire drill core (segmented to show the different mineral groups of silicates and sulphides) and then “Zoom” to show the gold mineralization particles

can be challenging due to theusing non-destructive 3D X-ray microscopy.

requirement of coating for traditionalelectron microscopy techniques.
ZEISS Nano-Variable Pressure (Nano-VP)

Ore Body Research

For these studies we can combine

SEM-based automated quantitative

removes this requirement, allowing

Improving ore deposit knowledge,

optical, electron and X-ray microscopy

mineral analysis is available to provide afor the examination of uncoated,refining our understanding of ore-to help characterize and understandquantitative mineralogy characterization

unaltered samples.

genesis and understanding morethese ore deposits. 3D analysis usingof these samples. Data outputs sucheffective ways of extracting valuable

X-ray Microscopy enables large area,

as elemental deportment can help

Planetary Geology

The most treasured and chemically

By integrating microstructural analyses

ore is critical in ensuring we havehigh resolution and non-destructive

locate and understand the distribution

The processes that govern thesensitive samples can be examinedfrom a range of sources – including

resources available for futurecharacterization of samples. Theseof target, by-product and deleterious

formation and evolution of the universe

using non-destructive, large-sample

optical, X-ray, electron and ion –generations.

volumetric analyses require littleelements. Liberation outputs provide

are imprinted at the smallest of scales.

imaging using three-dimensional X-ray

and operating at a range of scales

sample preparation and are perfectvaluable data for improving our

Astro-geoscience requires a detailed

microscopy. This allows for structures

researchers can gain deep insight into

for identifying precious metals in

understanding of how best to recoverunderstanding of the mineralogy

to be imaged without cutting or

the physical and chemical processes

low concentrations eliminating issues

these minerals.

and structure of samples from extra-

even removing them from specialized

governing the formation of our planet,

associated with 2D sampling andterrestrial sources.

protective environment.

solar system and universe.

preparation.

Reflected light analysis using optical
microscopes can also be used toprovide a final data layer to acomprehensive analysis capability
for ore deposit research.

89Geoscience ResearchContextual Mineralogy and

The digital age provides a wealthAccess to rare and precious samples is

Well-developed skeletal-textured olivine within

Digitization of Collectionsof opportunity for accessing,

limited to a few privileged researchers

an intrusive peridotite plug, Rum Layered Suite,

Often in mineralogical studies, we focus

analyzing and sharing historic andas their preservation is paramount.

exclusively on small areas or mineralarchived collections. It is now possible

Use non-invasive X-ray tomography

resulting in single, optically continuous crystals.

grains of interests. In doing this, weto share an everlasting digital record

to create a digital, shareable archive

Sample courtesy of Prof. Alan R Butcher,lose sight of the contextual setting ofof these valuable assets with otherof these materials.

that region or grain in our sample.

researchers, students and society at

The digitization technology available

large. High-throughput automated

These scanned fossils can then be 3Dfrom ZEISS provides a range of light,

optical petrography allows for thin

printed, allowing students, researchers

electron and X-ray solutions purpose-

sections to be fully-digitized inand museum visitors to physicallybuilt for large area, high resolution

batches of up to 100 at a time.

interact with curated collections

data capture. These solutions are able

These data can then be uploaded

without risk of damaging rare samples.

to provide a correlated and contextual

to the cloud and visualized anywhere

overview of your samples acrossin the world through a web interface.

different scales and modalities.

Barkeval, Isle of Rum, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.
A spectacular example of rapid crystal growth,

Geological Survey of Finland.

Combine these digitization techniqueswith sub-nanometer-resolution largearea imaging using scanning electron
microscopy to gain insight into historicalsamples as never before.

1011

Geoscience Education
Training the geoscientists of tomorrow

Correlative & Analytical Core Facility

Training the geoscientists ofGeoscience education is focused

The rise of distance learning also

Many of the challenges faced

High throughput automated opticalthe future is essential for the

primarily on data interpretation rather

drives a need for remote control andby modern geoscientists require

petrography allows for whole thinhealth of geoscience as a whole.

than the process of data acquisition.

use of image and analytical data. In

multiple analysis scales, modalities

sections to be digitized. This data

The ZEISS teaching microscopeThis has led to the demand for a greater

the university environment, blended

and technologies to solve. ZEISS‘

can then be taken into powerful

portfolio offers a software

focus on data sharing and interaction

learning is a growing application that

portfolio of light, electron, charged

correlative software on an electron

platform enabling efficientand a simplification of the hardware

incorporates both optical and electron

ion and X-ray microscopes aremicroscope.

and shared learning.

used to produce the data itself.

microscope data to complement theuniquely able to address thesesubject you are teaching.

challenges due to their ability toThis allows for nanoscale analytical

integrate data, multiple modes

data to be contextualized within a trueZEISS Digital Geo Classroom provides

and scales, allowing you to move

understanding of macroscopic sample

a suite of interconnected WIFI enabledfrom any system to any system.

heterogeneity. This software provides
a “Google Earth,“ or micro-GIS typepetrographic light microscopes thatDigital Classroom – WiFi-connected Primotech

allow students to acquire, annotateZEISS electron microscopes provide

capability, for your sample, allowing

and share their images. These area stable and expandable platform

you to navigate and zoom in on

streamed directly to tablets, projectors

for a range of microanalyticalfeatures of interest.

or computer screens, driving engagement

techniques, allowing for energy

through the use of familiar digital tech-dispersive and wavelength dispersive

These workflows can be directly

nologies. It also allows the instructor

X-ray spectroscopy(EDS/WDS), micro

extended to any other microscope into have a complete overview of the

X-ray fluorescence (uXRF) mapping,

the ZEISS portfolio, including multiscaleclassroom, freeing the teacher

RAMAN microspectroscopy, electron

non-destructive X-ray microscopy andto teach more efficiently.

backscattered diffraction (EBSD),

nanoscale 3D analysis using FIB-SEM.

Use a tablet to display images from any

and cathodoluminescence (CL)

WiFi-enabled microscope in a hive. Annotate,

to be performed on the same sample

share, and save images in collections using atablet as the control device.

in the same instrument concurrently.

Multiscale, multimodal imaging of an ophiolite,
showing both a calcite-rich vein and a chromiumrich spinel. High resolution backscattered imaging
and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) maps
spatially registered with large area overview of athin section, digitized under plane polarized light.

1213

ZEISS Products for Geosciences

ZEISS Xradia Versa 3D X-ray microscope

ZEISS Xradia Context CT Imaging

ZEISS Sigma 300 with RISEZEISS Mineralogic

ZEISS Atlas 5 Correlative microscopy

ZEISS ZEN Intellesis machine learningwith FPX

3D non-destrucative large sample imaging

Integrated electron and RAMAN imaging

Automated mineralogy software for digital

workspace

Integrated, easy to use, powerful segmentation

High resolution, non-destructive imaging ofat full field of view.

in a single correlative microscopy system.

petrophysical analysis. Characterize rock texture

Correlative microscopy for multi-scale, multi-modal,for 2D and 3D datasets available to the routine

geological samples, including very large andwith submicron precision using the industry

multi-dimensional imaging and analysis. Blended

microscopy user.

precious samples.

standard in oil and gas automated mineralogy.

learning workspace enables remote control ofCompatible with SEM and FIB-SEM microscopes.

instruments and collaboration across geographies
and imaging modalities.

ZEISS Sigma 300 field emission scanning

ZEISS GeminiSEM 450

ZEISS Crossbeam FIB-SEM

electron microscopeHigh stability analytical design, three chamber sizes,

High throughput 3D analysis and sample prep.

Greater analysis flexibility and simpler workflows

flexible port configuration options and compatible

Integrated imaging and analytical solution forin the characterization of ores and sediments.

mineral analysis software make EVO your scanningunderstanding the challenges of flow andelectron microscope for analyzing morphology,transport in unconventional resources.

mineralogy and composition of geological samples
such as zircons.

ZEISS Axioscan 7 Geo slide scanner for

ZEISS Primotech wireless hive

ZEISS Axio Imager 2 for polarizationbrightfield, ﬂuorescence, and polarization

optical microscopewith multi-phase software

Digitize your specimens and create high-quality

Wi-Fi enabled teaching microscope with

Tailored to demanding analysis tasks. Benefit fromvirtual thin sections automatically.

tablet support and app control. Enables social

crisp images, high optical performance and anStereo

Teaching

ResearchSlide Scanning

Scanning

Automated

X-rayviewing of images under the scope and has theautomated workflow.

Microscopes

Microscopes

Microscopes

Microscopes

Electron

Mineralogy

Microscopes

Microscopes

Systems

ability to act as a node in a hive of teaching
microscopes or as the teacher’s microscopein the digital classroom.

14

FIB-SEM

The most advanced technology for the highest quality data.

15

Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH07745 Jena, Germany
microscopy@zeiss.com
www.zeiss.com/microscopy

Not for therapeutic use, treatment or medical diagnostic evidence. Not all products are available in every country. Contact your local ZEISS representative for more information.
EN_40_011_119 | CZ-05/2020 | Design, scope of delivery and technical progress subject to change without notice. | © Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH