Electron Microprobe Laboratory

Laboratory Responsibles:

Dr. Annamaria Fioretti (CNR Researcher)

Mr. Raul Carampin (CNR Technician)

Telephone Number:

049 8272029

049 8272021

E-mail:

Instruments:

MBuilt in the early 90s this Electron Microprobe is equipped with four wavelength-dispersive spectrometers (WDS) for precise quantitative analyses and a high-resolution energy-dispersive solid state detector (EDS) for rapid qualitative determination of the elemental composition of the sample. Our electron microprobe is capable of quantitatively measuring the abundance of all elements from F to U. The electron microprobe combines micron-scale chemical analyses with scanning electron microscopy. Element x-ray mapping of specimens is also possible. Secondary electrons (SE) are used to show surface morphology, and backscattered electrons (BSE) are used to highlight local differences in average atomic number.
The SX50 is automated with the full SAMx software and hardware suite
XMAS is the automation package that controls our SX50 wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometers. Unattended, overnight operation is routinely carried out and frequently our customers’ results are available within 24-48 hours of specimen receipt.
HiMax Imaging and Elemental Mapping. The software allows digitally acquisition of video images (Secondary Electrons; BackScattered Electrons…) simultaneously with X-ray signals
IDFix is the EDS software package that gives our SX50 the ability to collect, display and reduce EDS spectrum data

Results: Quantitative analyses data format:

All reports have are in tab delimited format for importing into spreadsheet programs for calculation
The reports usually provide:
- Oxide concentrations in wt% for all analyses
- Element concentrations in wt% for all analyses.
Other types of report are available for detection limits, and so on…

Field of applications:

Our electron microprobe is mostly used for geosciences research, mainly for petrology and mineral studies. However, in addition to rocks and minerals, we also analyse metals and alloys, ceramics, archaeological glass, bricks, pigments and many other natural and artificial materials.

Samples:

Sample characteristics: samples must be solid, dry and stable in a vacuum and under a high-voltage electron beam.
Sample preparation: For accurate quantitative analysis the samples have to be flat and polished. Non-conductive samples are coated with a layer of carbon.
Sample holders. Up to 3 standard petrographic polished thin sections (47 x 27 mm) or 4 standard round sections (diameter 1 inch, thickness less than 1 cm) can be placed simultaneously into the probe.

Users:

The Electron Microprobe Laboratory belongs to CNR-IGG Padova unit, and is hosted in the Department of Geosciences of Padova University. Our lab routinely performs analyses for many departments and research centres and serves the CNR and University community all over Italy
We also welcome users from outside, such as Museum, private companies and industries. Users can either be trained to use the microprobe or, under some circumstance, have analyses done for them by lab personnel..

Useful Links di Strumentazione: