Proton-Induced
X-Ray Emission Analysis
of Geological Materials
EES-1 has access to a LANL beamline facility that includes a nuclear microprobe.
The nuclear microprobe is capable of proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS), nuclear reaction analyses (NRA) and other accelerator-based analytical methods with 10-micrometer spatial resolution. PIXE can be used for analysis of heavy trace elements (Z > Fe) with part-per-million detection limits for most elements. RBS is a surface analytical technique that is useful in thin-film and diffusion studies. NRA can be used for analysis of light elements such as C, N, O and F. The principal advantage of all of these methods is that data can be quantified from first principles with good accuracy and precision.
The LANL nuclear microprobe has been used for geological applications including: (1) studies of fluid-induced mass transfer in metamorphic rocks; (2) studies of coal and coal by-products; (3) studies of lunar materials; (4) investigations of environmental materials; (5) tree-ring studies; (6) partition coefficient studies of igneous rocks; and (7) investigations of O abundances in diamonds.
Donald Hickmott is the primary EES-1 user of the PIXE facilities, so contact him for more information (505)-667-8753 or dhickmott@lanl.gov.