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REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT
FOR THE PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES LABORATORY
The function of the Physical Properties
Laboratory of the Council for Geoscience is
to facilitate research on the rock magnetic,
palaeomagnetic and physical properties of
rock samples.
During 2007 the Physical Properties
Laboratory has acquired several new
instruments for the study of rock magnetic
and palaeomagnetic properties. These
instruments include:
• The JR-6A dual speed spinner
magnetometer from AGICO for
measurement of remnant magnetization of
rocks using classical (i.e. non-quantum,
non-cryogenic) operating principles.
Kappa Bridge
• The CS-3 furnace apparatus which is
attached to the MFK1-FA model and
measures the high temperature variations
of magnetic susceptibility which enables the
determination of Curie transition
temperatures. The Curie temperature can
be used as a diagnostic tool to identify
magnetic mineralogy. This is a tool has until
now not been available at the Council for
Geoscience.
• The MMTD80 thermal demagnetizer from
Magnetic Measurements Ltd (UK) which
has the capacity to demagnetize 80
samples simultaneously. The necessary
attachments for the MMTD80 to enable
Thellier-Thellier experiments have also
been acquired.
Spinner Magnetometer
• The MFK1-FA multi-function kappa bridge
from AGICO for the measuring anisotropy
of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of rocks
as well as in-phase and out-of –phase bulk
magnetic susceptibility in weak variable
fields and at 3 different operating
frequencies. This instrument can even
measure the anisotropies of diamagnetic
and near-zero susceptibility samples.
Thermal Demagnetiser
For more information contact:
Leonie Maré, Geophysics Unit
+27 (0)12 841 1416
leoniem@gescience.org.za
Editor: Stoffel Fourie
sfourie@csir.co.za
August 2008 No.1