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Terrascope Thin Section Slides is a multi-disciplinary laboratory dedicated to (almost) all things micromorphology. Opened in 2019 we initially specialized in the production of thin section slides. Since then we have expanded our capacity and capabilities on the slide production front, and have built on this foundation to offer a wide range of analytic possibilities, including:
- full micromorpholoy analysis of slides;
- pXRF analysis of the stratigraphy present in the slides (or impregnated or pre-impregnation sediment blocks);
- high resolution slide scanning;
- and high resolution photo-microscopy.
Our production laboratory is now equipped with two Brot Laboratoire Multiplate thin section grinders, our trusty Pfeiffer vacuum chamber and pump, a Vodex fume cupboard, a dedicated sediment drying cabinet (temperature controlled to ensure the slow, even drying of your samples). For checking our slides during production we use a Brunel polarizing microscope. Cutting of the blocks takes place in a separate wet-cutting room, equipped with a water-cooled (diamond blade) cutting and slabbing saw, allowing us to separate wet and dry activities and better control humidity and in the lab.
Sediment blocks are still impregnated using water-clear, UV-stabilized Polyester Resin, with a food-grade, colorless mineral-based oil used to lubricate the samples during the grinding process. We create specific resin profiles for each sample we treat to ensure the best impregnation, grinding, and archiving of your slides. Borosilicate cover-glass with a n° 1 thickness are used to cover slides, if required. Slide sizes are: Mammoth (139 x 68mm: 160 € a piece); 90 x 60mm (120 € a piece); and 45 x 30mm (55 € a piece).
Our analysis laboratory is equipped with a state of the art Leica Visoria P polarising microscope, including a high-resolution Fleixacam c5 camera (12 mega pixels), the Enersight software, and an Epson V850 high resolution scanner, allowing us to provide high-resolution images of your slides that enhance their analytic potential. We use an Evident Vanta handheld pXRF spectrometer for carrying out geochemical analysis of the slides/blocks, processing and analyzing the data using IoGAS software.
Finally, at Terrascope we just don’t make and analyze slides; we also design and implement wider pluri-disciplinary projects that can combine a wide array of data collection and analytic approaches including: site sediment coring, geochemical mapping, macro-and micro-botanical analysis, and of course micromorphology analysis. We are always keen to experiment new methods and approaches to further develop and complete the archaeological tool box to investigate archaeological sites. To see what we offer, please have a look below and at our sister site Amélie.
Please contact us for a quote: contact@terrascope-tss.com. Every 20 slides of a kind, get a free one!
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