Tutorials and Technical Reports
START HERE! Select the instrumentation that will best address your research questions. The right tool for the right job!
Tutorials on Imaging and Analytical Instrumentation and Methods
Use the following Tutorials about Instrumentation available at ICAL. These web module introduce the analytical or imaging methods; fundamental principles; instrument components and how they work; typical applications; strengths and limitations; sample collection and preparation; data collection, data reduction, and data representation; and related web links and references for future exploration. This information will complement and supplement short courses offered byICAL staff on the safe and effective use of these instruments.
X-ray Diffraction
- X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)
- Parallel Beam X-ray Optics: Grazing Incident X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) and X-ray Reflectivity (XRR)
Electron Microbeam Methods
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
- Back-Scattered Electron (BSE) Imaging
- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
- X-ray Elemental Mapping
- Cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL)
- Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction
Surface Analysis
- Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (Tof-SIMS)
- Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
- X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
“Bulk” Sample Chemical Analysis (major and trace element)
Technical Reports to Optimize Your Research—“How To” Guides
X-ray Diffraction
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Clay Minerology
- Accurate identification of clay is important for Earth science, engineering, and industrial applications. Learn more about required sample preparation and data acquisition procedures.
Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Critical Point Drying of Biological Samples
- SEM sample preparation for hydrated biological samples
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Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Cryo-SEM extends imaging capabilities to hydrated biological sample, biofilms, “soft” materials such as polymers and gels, and for textural/crystallographic imaging of ice.
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Cathodoluminescence (CL) Imaging
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CL imaging is widely used to characterize geologic (minerals, rocks, fossils, cements), engineered materials (e.g., semi-conductors), and emerging applications in life sciences. CL imaging can reveal compositional variations not otherwise observable using SEI, BSE, or EDS imaging and mapping.
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Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
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Standards Based Quantitative Elemental Analysis
- Quantitative EDS elemental analysis can be obtained using certified standards. ICAL uses aa standard collection of 50 compounds (minerals, alloys) that cover most elements in the periodic table (Z=9,fluorine and heavier), and sets of standards are recommended for optimal quantitative analysis of most rock-forming minerals
“Bulk” Sample Chemical Analysis using pXRF
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Standards-Based Quantitative Analysis
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Bulk (i.e., average in a large volume of sample) chemical analyses can be rapidly obtained (~2 minutes/run) using the pXRF with ppm detection limits for most elements heavier than sodium. Powders and liquids can be analyzed in Teflon cups in a test stand, or the instrument can be used in remote sites (outcrops, mine sites) or on larger, irregular materials such as art objects and archeological artefacts. pXRF data are considered to be semi-quantitative, but results can be improved by applying post-analysis empirical corrections.
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