A new microtome for cutting hard submillimeter-sized crystalline objects for promoting high-resolution instrumental microanalysis

A new microtome has been developed for precise cutting of hard crystalline objects which are an order of magnitude smaller than previously practicable. The instrument design permits to obtain thin slices with fairly smooth planes from single crystals without significant loss of original material. Accurate guidance of the 5 mu m tungsten cutting wire charged with a diamond slurry allows several consecutive cuts of an item in any desired direction. Such accurate and closely matching mineral slices constitute new potential for multidisciplinary high-resolution instrumental studies in mineral geochemistry and petrology, as well as for isotope analysis of minerals. The simple preparation technique will also open a new a venue in experimental mineralogy. The lucid design, the plain construction and the low cost of the new device make it a useful tool for all laboratories involved in microanalytical work.