The electron microprobe is used to measure the compositions of solids at high spatial resolution, allow for the analyses of particles and areas of <10 μm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) can be used for qualitative and semi-quantitative measurements, while wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (WDS) can be used for quantitative measurements of major, minor, and trace elements. Lower limits of detection for WDS measurements are typically 10’s to 100’s of ppm, while <10ppm detection limits are possible in certain situations.

Natural and synthetic standards available in the lab are used for WDS calibration. The microprobe can also be used for secondary and back-scattered electron imaging, similar to the SEM, and for EDS and WDS elemental mapping.

Please contact the lab for more information.

 Wavelength-dispersive X-ray maps showing the relative distributions of (L) manganese in metamorphic garnet, (C) tin in a tin bronze alloy, and (R) arsenic in an ore mineral agglomerate.