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Quantification of Olivine Using Fe Lα in Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

Ben Buse*
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS81RJ, UK
Stuart Kearns
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS81RJ, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Ben Buse, E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Quantification of first series transition metal Lα X-rays is hampered by absorption and in some cases transition probabilities (fluorescence yields) varying with chemical bonding. Compound mass absorption coefficients for Fe Lα were measured in the olivine solid solution series [Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) to Fayalite (Fe2SiO4)] and the mass absorption coefficients for Fe Lα absorbed by Fe were calculated. The mass absorption coefficients vary systematically between Fo83 and Fo0. Using the measured mass absorption coefficients for both standard and unknown and by correcting for a systematic discrepancy, consistent with varying partial fluorescence yields, a good agreement between calculated k-ratios and measured k-ratios is achieved. The systematic variations allow quantification of unknown k-ratios. The described method of quantification requires modification of matrix correction routines to allow standards and unknowns to have different mass absorption coefficients, and to incorporate solid solution mass absorption coefficients and partial fluorescence yield corrections derived from regression of experimental data.

Type
Materials Science Applications
Copyright
© Microscopy Society of America 2018 

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