Microprobe Techniques in the Earth Sciences

30% discount for members of The Mineralogical Society of Britain and Ireland

This text covers the range of microanalytical techniques available for the analysis of geological samples, principally in research applications. Each chapter is written in a clear, informative style and has a tutorial element, designed to introduce each technique for the beginning and experienced researcher alike.

1 Microanalysis from 1950 to the 1990s.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Microscope methods with image-plane selection.- 1.3 Microprobe methods.- 1.4 The possibilities: primary and secondary beams.- 1.5 Some history.- 1.6 Quantitative analysis.- 1.7 Precision, accuracy and resolution.- 1.8 Other techniques using electrons and/or X-rays.- 1.9 Selected-area mass spectrometry with direct excitation.- 1.10 Selected-area mass spectrometry with indirect excitation.- 1.11 Laser heating.- 1.12 Detection of molecular species.- 1.13 Which technique? Analytical strategy and tactics.- References.- 2 Electron microprobe microanalysis.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 X-ray spectroscopy.- 2.3 Wavelength-dispersive spectrometers.- 2.4 Energy-dispersive spectrometers.- 2.5 The electron column.- 2.6 Scanning and mapping.- 2.7 Qualitative analysis.- 2.8 Quantitative analysis — experimental.- 2.9 Quantitative analysis — data reduction.- References.- Further reading.- 3 Analytical electron microscopy.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 The X-ray analysis of thin specimens.- 3.3 Electron energy-loss spectroscopy.- 3.4 EDS versus EELS.- 3.5 Future directions of AEM instrumentation.- Acknowledgements.- References.- he nuclear microprobe — PIXE, PIGE, RBS, NRA and 141 ERDA.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 The proton microprobe.- 4.3 The PIXE technique.- 4.4 Geological applications of PIXE.- 4.5 Nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and PIGE.- 4.6 Rutherford backscattering (RBS).- 4.7 Elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA).- 4.8 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 5 Synchrotron X-ray microanalysis.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Synchrotron storage rings.- 5.3 Beamline and experimental stations.- 5.4 Specimen preparation.- 5.5 Analysis.- 5.6 Illustrative applications and future advances.- Acknowledgements.- Invitation.-Appendix 5A Notation and abbreviations.- References.- Further reading.- 6 Ion microprobe analysis in geology.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Instrumentation.- 6.3 Secondary ion production.- 6.4 Analytical procedures.- 6.5 Applications: elemental analysis.- 6.6 Applications: isotopic analysis.- 6.7 Future developments.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 7 Mineral microanalysis by laserprobe inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.- 7.3 Laser ablation and ICP-MS.- 7.4 Analytical rationale.- 7.5 History of laser ablation analysis.- 7.6 Bulk sampling with LA-ICP-MS: an alternative to solution preparation.- 7.7 Analytical methodology.- 7.8 Detection limits.- 7.9 Applications.- 7.10 Future trends.- 7.11 Conclusions.- References.- 8 Ar-Ar dating by laser microprobe.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 The 40Ar-39Ar dating technique.- 8.3 Estimation of errors.- 8.4 Instrumentation.- 8.5 Methodology.- 8.6 Applications of the laser microprobe technique.- References.- 9 Stable isotope ratio measurement using a laser microprobe.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Stable isotope geochemistry.- 9.3 Conventional preparation of gases for stable isotope studies.- 9.4 Stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry.- 9.5 Historical development of the laser microprobe.- 9.6 Application of the laser microprobe to stable isotope studies.- 9.7 Instrumentation.- 9.8 Carbon and oxygen isotopic analyses of carbonates.- 9.9 Sulphur isotopic measurements of sulphides.- 9.10 Oxygen isotopic analyses of silicates and oxides.- 9.11 Nitrogen isotope analyses.- 9.12 Conclusions.- 382 Acknowledgements.- References.- 10 Micro-Raman spectroscopy in the Earth Sciences.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Principles.- 10.3 Instrumentation.- 10.4 Sample handling and routine operation.- 10.5 Advantages and disadvantages of the Raman technique.- 10.6 Some applications of micro-Raman spectroscopy in the Earth Sciences.- 10.7 Other applications of micro-Raman spectroscopy in the Earth Sciences.- 10.8 Other Raman techniques and closing remarks.- Acknowledgements.- References.