SEM in Geology

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SEM mineral identification

Few disciplines rely as heavily on consistent, multi-scale observation and interpretation of features as the earth sciences. Everything from deep earth flow processes to more efficient methods of resource extraction are dependent on accurate sample characterization.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has built a family of imaging platforms and software solutions to facilitate data collection, visualization and analysis during complicated multi-modal, multi-scale characterization routines.

Petrology and mineralogy

Accurate textural analysis and the associated distribution of minerals within the rock texture are key to accurately describing the physical and chemical aspects of a rock system. Automated determination of mineralogy, based on scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), has established itself as a popular method for acquiring high-resolution images and chemical maps in the mining and mineral processing industries. Thermo Fisher Scientific has a 30-year history of delivering market-leading SEM-EDS technology. Here are just a few of the advantages afforded by our petrology and mineralogy solutions;

Expand the number of samples that can be processed with routine petrologic and mineralogic analysis
Build a strong statistical repository of mineral content based on automated analysis
Automatically obtain accurate mineralogical identification
Create a digital inventory of your thin sections and associated mineral assemblages
Combine EDS elemental analysis, mineralogy and high-resolution imagery for advanced sample interpretation
Analyze more samples for more robust statistics

Multi-scale analysis with geoscience software

While context is vital for textural analysis, it is especially important for geological or structural interpretation. Electron imaging captures a large number of modalities in a single acquisition, allowing for direct interpretation of composition and texture. However, simply observing a single frame, or even a series of images, out of context reduces the power of this analysis.

We provide a suite of automation software developed with the express purpose of preserving context. Thermo Scientific Maps Software is the cross-platform automation engine for our full line of electron microscopy imaging platforms. Maps Software takes the pain out of acquiring larger image mosaics within an easy to use and intuitive software environment.

Preserve context with large, automatically acquired, high-resolution datasets
Utilize system time efficiently
Share observations with context for more collaborative data interpretation

Resources

Images
Documents

Plagioclase feldspar sample imaged with SEM and EDS.

Chemical zonation in a plagioclase feldspar sample. Albite is shown in dark blue, labradorite is shown in light blue.

Sandstone sample imaged with microCT and SEM.

Multi-scale analysis of a sandstone sample. The left image is a slice from a microCT dataset, the right 3 images are from subsequent SEM analysis that interrogated the clay mineralogy present in the pores.

Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types imaged with SEM and EDS.

Cross-section overview of the major rock types, revealing varied mineral and structural distribution.

Surface analysis of a rock cross-section performed with SEM and EDS.

Surface analysis of a rock cross-section. A single mineralogical dataset from SEM-EDS analysis is uniquely capable of telling a rich story on texture and composition.

Rock core plug imaged with microCT and SEM.

Multi-scale analysis of a core plug with X-ray microtomography (microCT) and SEM. The initial sample, plus the extracted mini plug, were imaged with HeliScan microCT. A cross-section of the mini plug was then imaged with SEM. The SEM data has been correlated and segmented with Avizo Software.

Images

Chemical zonation in a plagioclase feldspar sample. Albite is shown in dark blue, labradorite is shown in light blue.

Cross-section overview of the major rock types, revealing varied mineral and structural distribution.

Surface analysis of a rock cross-section. A single mineralogical dataset from SEM-EDS analysis is uniquely capable of telling a rich story on texture and composition.

Documents

Applications