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Standards in Electron Probe Analysis of Minerals*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

Isidore Adler*
Affiliation:
U.S. Geological Survey Washington, D.C.
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Abstract

The application of electron probe analysis to complex mineral systems has pointed out the great need for suitable standards. It is often difficult to obtain highly accurate analytical results on these complex systems using pure end members because of the large number of correction factors involved, particularly since some of these factors are not well known.

The requirements for electron probe standards are rather stringent. They must be well analyzed chemically, and be homogeneous on the micron level so that the small volume sampled by the probe is representative of bulk analysis. Unfortunately minerals suitable for standards are difficult to obtain. Minerals may appear to be single phases, but a careful microscopic examination will disclose that there are in fact two or more phases closely intergrown, so that the probe is not actually sampling a single phase. There are instances where the knowledge of homogeneity of the standards can only be obtained by an analytical tool like the electron probe. It is for reasons such as these that caution must be used in the selection of mineral standards. Because of the increasing use of the probe for mineral studies it has become desirable to establish a clearing house for well established standards and a comprehensive exchange program.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1963

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Footnotes

*

Publication authorized by the Director, U.S. Geological Survey.

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