For complex geodynamic questions we use a wide variety of analytical methods and procedures. Some of the analytic equipment is located in our group, others are operated in cooperation with GFZ sections, e.g. the laboratory for thin-section preparation together with section 4.3.

There is also close cooperation with other research institutes, universities, and industry. Interested scientists from outside the GFZ may also use our Preperation Laboratory through cooperations.

The laboratory for thin-section preparation is a shared facility between the sections 4.1 and 4.3 for the preparation of thin sections and samples.

This laboratory is specialized in the preparation of thin sections of soft and unconsolidated lacustrine and marine sediments, soils, hygroscopic sediment samples such as salts and clays, and freeze cores (specialisation section 4.3), as well as of hard rock, minerals, ores, and grain samples (specialisation section 4.1).

Thick and thin sections, ultrathin sections, polished sections (single and double-sided), grain mounts (minerals embedded in epoxy), single crystal slides and reference samples of various formats can be produced.

Thin section slides are primarily used for optical microscopy (e.g. micro-facies analyses, petrography, structural geology, tephra analytics), but also for analyses with SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, etc.