Products & Solutions for Geosciences

Technology

In terms of underpinning technology, it is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)-based automated image analyzer, based on FEI’s Quanta platform, and fitted with dual, liquid nitrogen-free (SDD-type) EDS detectors. It is available as either a Tungsten filament or Field Emission Gun (FEG) source system.

Capability

It is a product of record and considered to be one of the most advanced automated analyzers available for minerals, rocks and man-made materials. QEMSCAN uses combinations of Backscattered Electron Intensity and rapidly acquired Electron Induced Secondary X-Ray spectra as the primary methods of mineral identification.

It offers expert-level, petrographic-based, image analysis functionality (e.g. grain size, grain shape analysis, liberation analysis etc.). The large sample chamber can accommodate up to 14 samples (30mm diameter) at one time. Sample preparation for the QEMSCAN requires that the material to be analyzed is presented to the instrument as a flat, carbon coated surface. The solution has fully customizable measurement modes.

Unique features

History: QEMSCAN (and its forerunner QEM*SEM®) was developed by CSIRO in the late 1970’s, commercialized and registered by Intellection in 2003, and acquired by FEI in 2008.
Mineral Identification: QEMSCAN automatically identifies minerals and phases under the electron beam by comparing the elemental proportions and BSE values derived from rapidly acquired EDS X-ray spectra with a library of reference mineral and phase compositions, known as the Species Identification Protocol (SIP). QEMSCAN is equipped with a SIP editor to define and edit phase identification off-line.
Proprietary Image Analysis Software: QEMSCAN uses iExplorer image analysis software to analyze the resulting data.
Detector Options: QEMSCAN is available only with Bruker EDS systems.

Main Applications

QEMSCAN is a product of record for the mining and energy business sectors. However, in recent years, the technology has found acceptance within the broader geosciences community. It has been used by researchers to quantify the fundamental mineralogy and petrology of a range of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, and their weathering products. In particular, it has proved to be a valuable analysis solution for the characterization of agricultural-quality soil, contaminated mine waste, and soil found at or near crime scenes. Several studies have shown QEMSCAN’s ability to measure airborne dust and quantify the sampled particles in terms of their size, shape, composition and density. A number of archaeological studies have recently been published on pottery and other artifacts, and even studies of highly prized planetary materials (various meteorites and historic Apollo-era samples) have been completed.

Technology

In terms of underpinning technology, it is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)-based automated image analyzer, based on FEI’s Quanta platform, and fitted with dual, liquid nitrogen-free (SDD-type) EDS detectors. It is available as either a Tungsten filament (MLA 650, MLA 250) or Field Emission Gun (FEG) source system (MLA 650F).

Capability

It is a product of record and considered to be one of the most advanced automated analyzers available for minerals, rocks and man-made materials.  MLA uses combinations of Backscattered Electron Intensity and rapidly acquired Electron Induced Secondary X-Ray spectra as the primary methods of mineral identification. It offers expert-level, petrographic-based, image analysis functionality (e.g. grain size, grain shape analysis, liberation analysis etc.). The large sample chamber can accommodate up to 14 samples (30mm diameter) at one time. Sample preparation for the MLA requires that the material to be analyzed is presented to the instrument as a flat, carbon coated surface. The solution has fully customizable measurement modes.

Unique features

History - The MLA was developed by the University of Queensland’s JKMRC and JKTech in the late 1990’s, commercialized in 2000, and acquired by FEI in 2009.

Mineral Identification - MLA automatically identifies minerals and phases under the electron beam by using an EDS X-ray spectral pattern matching algorithm, by comparing the x-ray spectrum to a library of reference spectra. 

Proprietary Image Analysis Software - MLA uses DataView image analysis software to analyze the resulting data.

Detector Options - MLA is available with both Bruker and EDAX EDS systems. 

Main Applications

MLA is a product of record for the mining and mineral processing industry, but has recently found acceptance within the broader geosciences community, where it is used to quantify ore textures in, for example, cm-scale unbroken drill core samples. The resulting images and accompanying data are used to provide input to predictive geometallurgical programs, as well as provide insights into petrogenetic modelling of ore body evolution.