Advanced methods of minareals and rocks analysis

obligatory courses

Comprehension of physico-chemical principles of analytical methods and types of studied substances require the basic knowledge in inorganic chemistry and physics, and credits on undergraduate courses on mineralogy, petrology and methods of minerals and rocks analysis.

Advanced instrumental methods of inorganic natural material analysis applied in geosciences are presented (X-ray diffraction excluded). The course includes theoretical principles, construction and schemes of analytical devices and apparatuses, sample preparation, analytical work or procedures and interpretation of the obtained data.

The course presents advanced methods of instrumental analysis of inorganic natural materials widely applied in geosciences. The choice of presented methods is made due to their prevalence and availability in leading universities and geological research centres in Poland.

The student familiarizes himself/herself with the following analytical methods (excluding means of X-ray diffraction which are presented in “Crystallochemistry and diffraction” course)”

1) Transmission electron mincroscopy (TEM)

a. construction and types of TEMs, working modes

b. TEM sample preparation: dimpling, ion milling and thinning, FIB (focused ion beam)

c. electron beam interaction with matter and analytical application of types of radiation

d. TEM imagining

e. electron diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction (SAED)

f. analytical application of TEMs, electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS)

g. high-resolution TEM (HRTEM)

– computer simulation of SEM/TEM operation and imagining

– application of HRTEM in geosciences

2) electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)

a. generation of characteristic radiation by electron beam - theoretical principles

b. a Cameca SX100 apparatus

c. wavelength dispersion system (WDS) i energy dispersion system (EDS): application, types of detectors, comparison of both systems

d. advantages and limitations of method

3) emission and absorption atomic spectrometry:

a. interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, division of spectroscopic methods

b. absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation

c. construction of spectrometers, sources of radiation and excitation, monochromators, types of atomizers

d. emission spectrometry in the UV-Vis range, flame photometry

e. spectrography, inductively induced plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), ICP with mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

f. absorption spectrometry with flame and electrothermal (EC) atomization, hydride and cold vapour method

g. ICP-MS with laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS)

h. advantages and drawbacks of analytical methods, application in geosciences

4) infra-red spectrometry (IR and FT-IR)

a. infra-red radiation and its interaction with molecules

b. selection rules and types of molecular vibrations

c. construction of classical infra-red spectrometer and the Fourier transform infra-red spectrometer (FTIR)

d. analytical methods in infra-red spectrometry

e. spectra of common functional groups and of selected groups of minerals

f. application of the method in geosciences

5) Raman spectrometry

a. theoretical background of scattering – classical and quantum mechanics approach

b. Raman spectrometer: sources of radiation and excitation, monochromators, detectors

c. Raman spectra measurement and registering

d. Raman spectra of selected functional groups and groups of minerals

e. application of Raman spectra in geosciences

6) cathodoluminescence (CL)

a. luminescence, the conduction band model and the configurational coordinate model, the crystal field theory

b. instrumentation for CL, detection of CL emission

c. minerals showing CL, sample preparation

d. scientific and industrial application of CL

7) fluid inclusions in minerals (FI)

a. formation and types of fluid inclusions in crystals

b. fluid inclusions-based recognition of conditions and environments of mineral crystallization

c. application of means of fluid inclusions in mineral deposits prospection.

At the lectures students learn about physico-chemical principles of presented methods, construction of analytical devices and instrumentation. During laboratory classes students familiarize themselves with analytical equipment, analytical procedures, sample preparation techniques. One of the important issues of laboratory activity is learning how to present and interpret the obtained analytical data, discuss the advantages and limitation of a given method, and the sources of errors in the measurements.

The student:

1. knows the physico-chemical principles of 7 analytical methods

2. is familiar with construction, functions and capability of analytical devices

3. is familiar with basics of sample preparation of the studied analytical methods

4. knows the advantages and limitations of the studied instrumental methods and is able to recognize and explain the possible sources of analytical errors

5. based on the acquired knowledge is able to plan and undertake optimal analytical path for determination of chemical elements and phase composition of inorganic substances (rocks, minerals, mineral and ceramic raw materials)

6. is able to select and adapt the instrumental methods indispensable for completion of his or her master’s degree thesis on geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology and deposit geology

7. is ready to cooperate with technical staff or is prepared for unassisted operation on analytical equipment

8. is able to analyze, evaluate, interpret and report individually the obtained results

– involvement in activities and assignments during the classes

– compulsory classes attendance

none