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New Mexico State University

Analytical Geochemistry Research Laboratory (AGRL) Director: Dr. Nancy J. McMillan

The AGRL is a facility for the characterization of the chemical composition and crystallographic properties of liquid, glassy, and crystalline materials, primarily rocks and minerals. The principal purpose of the facility is to support basic research by faculty and graduate students in the geosciences, but use by other departments and colleges is encouraged. Major equipment includes a Rigaku X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF: measures the major and trace element composition of gram-size samples), a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS: measures the isotopic composition of materials), a new non-metal clean lab, and a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS: measures the optical spectra emitted from solids during rapid analysis). Sample preparation equipment includes tungsten carbide grinding mills for low contamination powdering of samples, rock crushing equipement, facilities for preparation of XRF, TIMS, and LIBS samples.
 
Phone: (575) 646-5000