Applied lab techniques Presentation on: EPMA

Presented By: Muhammad Zubair Idrees BS (HONS) Geology Institute Of Geology Punjab University Lahore

Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA)

DEFINITION
Electron micro probe analyser (EMPA), is an analytical tool used to nonnon-destructively determine the chemical composition of small volumes of solid materials.

It is also known as:

Electron microprobe (EMP) Electron probe microanalyser (EPMA) It works similarly to a scanning electron
microscope, the sample is bombarded with an electron beam, and signals that come from the sample are collected.

PRINCIPLE
It work on the same principle as SEM. Electrons are bombarded with the target
and the XX-rays are produced, which is characteristics XX-rays and use to determine the composition of that very substance.

INSTRUMENTATION
EPMA consists of four major components, from top to bottom:

 An electron source, commonly a WW-

filament cathode referred to as a "gun."

INSTRUMENTATION
 A series of electromagnetic lenses located
in the column of the instrument, used to condense and focus the electron beam emanating from the source; this comprises the electron optics and operates in an analogous way to light optics.

INSTRUMENTATION
 A sample chamber, with movable sample
stage, that is under a vacuum to prevent gas and vapor molecules from interfering with the electron beam on its way to the sample; a light microscope allows for direct optical observation of the sample.

INSTRUMENTATION
 A variety of detectors arranged around the
sample chamber that are used to collect xxrays and electrons emitted from the sample.

STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS

STRENGTH
An electron probe is essentially the same instrument as an SEM, but differs in that it is equipped with a range of crystal spectrometers that enable quantitative chemical analysis at high sensitivity. sensitivity.

An electron probe is the primary tool for chemical analysis of solid materials at small spatial scales (as small as 1-2 micron diameter); diameter) ; hence, the user can analyze even minute single phases (e (e. .g., minerals) in a material (e (e. .g., rock) with "spot" analyses analyses. .

Spot chemical analyses can be obtained in situ, which allows the user to detect even small compositional variations within textural context or within chemically zoned materials. materials.

LIMITATIONS
Although electron probes have the ability to analyze for almost all elements, they are unable to detect the lightest elements (H, He and Li); Li); as a result, for example, the "water" in hydrous minerals cannot be analyzed. analyzed.

LIMITATIONS
Some elements generate x-rays with overlapping peak positions (by both energy and wavelength) that must be separated. separated.

LIMITATIONS
Microprobe analyses are reported as oxides of elements, not as cations; cations; therefore, cation proportions and mineral formulae must be recalculated following stoichiometric rules. rules.

LIMITATIONS
Probe analysis also cannot distinguish between the different valence states of Fe, so the ferric/ferrous ratio cannot be determined and must be evaluated by other techniques. techniques.

SAMPLE PREPARATION
Unlike an SEM, which can give images of 3D objects, analysis of solid materials by EPMA requires preparation of flat, polished sections. sections.

SAMPLE PREPARATION
In most cases, samples are prepared as standardstandard -size 27 x 46 mm rectangular sections, or in 1-inch round disks disks. .

SAMPLE PREPARATION
The most critical step prior to analysis is giving the sample a fine polish so that surface imperfections do not interfere with electronelectronsample interactions. interactions.

SAMPLE PREPARATION
Prior to analysis, samples are typically coated with a thin film of a conducting material (carbon, gold and aluminum are most common) by means of evaporative deposition. deposition .

SAMPLE PREPARATION
Samples are loaded into the sample chamber via a vacuum interlock and mounted on the sample stage. stage. The sample chamber is then pumped to obtain a high vacuum. vacuum .

SAMPLE PREPARATION
To begin a microprobe session, suitable analytical conditions must be selected, such as accelerating voltage and electron beam current, and the electron beam must be properly focused. focused.

USES
Material sciences and engineering Mineralogy and Petrology Paleontology

REFERENCES
www.wikipedia www. wikipedia. .com www. www .serc serc. .carleton. carleton.edu. edu.us www. www .epmalab epmalab. .uoregon. uoregon.edu. edu.us www. www .ncemp ncemp. .org

THANK YOU