http://www.cannonmicroprobe.com
MINERAL IDENTIFICATION - as low as $ 8.00 / grain
Cannon Microprobe specializes in mineral identification for mining companies and mineral collectors. The proper identification of a mineral species requires consideration of a variety of characteristics of the unknown. These include, color, luster, hardness, crystal or morphological habit, environment and associated species. In most instances these features are enough to allow the identification of a mineral, especially if the subject is studied by an experienced person using a stereomicroscope.
There are nearly 5,000 known mineral species and sometimes more sophisticated means are required to identify a mineral.
The most cost effective supplementary method is to obtain an elemental analysis of the mineral in an electron beam instrument capable of producing an x-ray spectrum of the elements present in the unknown. The peak heights of the x-ray spectrum are proportional to elemental concentration and the result of this analysis will immediately limit the identification possibilities.
Additional support for the identification may require determination of the crystal structure of the unknown using x-ray diffraction.
SEM - Electron Microprobe Analysis
Cannon Microprobe utilizes an ARL SEMQ electron microprobe equipped with both energy dispersive and wavelength dispersive x-ray spectrometers. These two spectrometer types are complimentary and necessary for the unequivocal determination of elemental compositions. A lead sulfate such as anglesite is difficult to distinguish from a lead carbonate using only energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy since the sulfur k-alpha x-ray peak is hidden by the lead m-alpha peak. Wavelength dispersive spectrometers easily resolve this spectral confusion and are routinely used on all jobs at Cannon Microprobe.
X-Ray Spectrum of Chalcopyrite
X-Ray Diffraction Analysis
Cannon Microprobe uses a modernized GE-XRD x-ray diffractometer to obtain powder x-ray diffraction patterns. Approximately 2.0 cubic millimeters of unknown is required. This is substantially more than is needed for the Debye-Scherrer powder camera method which is commonly used in many other laboratories for tiny crystals. This laboratory should have functioning Debye-Scherrer cameras soon. Data can be presented in Excel spreadsheet form.
X-ray Diffraction Pattern of Quartz
PRICING -----------------------------------------------------------------
Electron Microprobe Analysis
Simple X-ray Spectrum - EDS with WDS data - Loose Grain Mount
2mm grains maximum. Send in gelatin capsules or mount very neatly on double stick tape.
1 grain, each ------------------------------------ $ 25.00
2 to 4 grains ------------------------------------- 20.00
5 to 9 grains ------------------------------------- 15.00
10 to 25 grains (isolated to 1mm)------------------ 9.00
25 to 50 grains (isolated to 1mm)------------------ 8.00
Simple X-Ray Spectrum - EDS with WDS data - Polished Section Mount
Polished Section Analysis, per 0.5 inch mount, add --- 10.00
Polished Section Analysis of Slabbed Rock and Ore Specimens
Specimens to 1.0 inch. Analyzed for all species ------- 95.00
Semi-Quantitative EDS Analysis
1 grain --------------------------------------------- 40.00
Quantitative WDS Analysis 7 elements
1 grain ----------------------------------------------- 200.00
X-Ray Diffraction Analysis
1 grain ----------------------------------------------- 60.00
Scanning Electron Microscope Digital Images
Digital Image File, ($60 minimum) each --------------- 6.00
Glossy prints, 8.5" x 11" each ------------------------ 30.00