Progress further in this document and web constitutes acceptance of the terms of our copyright and disclaimer.

Complementary Techniques

Nuclear Microprobe analysis, which provides non-destructive, quantitative, simultaneous multielement analysis and imaging at ppm sensitivity and micron resolution, provides a complement to high sensitivity, but destructive, low resolution point analysis methods, such as laser-ablation ICP/MS, and routine methods for isotopic analysis, such as the ion-probe, and major element analysis and imaging, such as the electron microprobe (EMP).

Summary

The CSIRO-GEMOC Nuclear Microprobe (NMP) is an advanced microanalytical probe based on MeV energy ion beams, designed for geological applications and featuring:

Simultaneous multielement analysis of most of the periodic table.
Quantitative imaging of major and trace element spatial distribution.
Detection limits down to 0.1-0.2 ppm.
Spatial resolution between 1-2 µm.
Image areas of up to >5 x 2.0 mm².
Non-destructive, even for intact fluid inclusions.

Based on these features, methods have been developed to provide tools for:

Ore fluid analysis through non-destructive, quantitative analysis of intact fluid inclusions in minerals.
Ore metallurgy and characterization through quantitative trace element imaging and profiling.
Diamond exploration through trace element signatures in heavy indicator minerals.
Melt inclusion imaging and quantitative analysis.
Silicate and sulfide trace element geochemistry on scales up to >5 mm at 1-2 µm resolution.
Trace element partitioning between minerals, melts, metals and fluids.

The new GeoPIXE II software package has been released. See below for details.

Site Map

	Advanced features of NMP analysis at the CSIRO The high performance of the new CSIRO-GEMOC NMP has particular advantages for high resolution, high sensitivity analysis of geological samples, due to its unique lens configuration, quantitative analysis methods and high efficiency detector systems. Sensitivity Spatial resolution Accuracy of spatial imaging Quantitative analysis and imaging Advantages of the NMP analysis depth Non-destructive analysis and applications
	Fluid inclusion analysis and imaging The penetrating, non-destructive nature of MeV proton beams makes the NMP ideally suited to in situ analysis of individual fluid inclusions in minerals. Techniques developed at the CSIRO enable the determination of the composition of the original trapped fluid, and the imaging of inclusion content. Fluid inclusion analysis and imaging PIXE microanalysis of fluid inclusions Method Sensitivity Accuracy Synthetic fluid inclusion tests Application Imaging the internal contents of a fluid inclusion Analysis of hydrothermal fluids Granite-hosted copper-gold deposits Modelling fluid evolution VMS deposits Experimental partitioning between sulfide, metal and fluid Notes on sample preparation for NMP fluid inclusion analysis
	Quantitative trace element imaging method A powerful algorithm called *Dynamic Analysis, developed at the CSIRO for unmixing elemental signatures in proton induced X-ray spectra in real-time, provides a tool for rapid quantitative imaging of trace and major element spatial distribution in minerals. Typical PIXE spectrum components The Dynamic Analysis* approach Example of Dynamic Analysis PIXE images of melt inclusion PIXE imaging of sulfides Dynamic Analysis images are quantitative
	The new CSIRO-GEMOC Nuclear Microprobe The new CSIRO-GEMOC Nuclear Microprobe features a number of technical advances, including a unique high performance lens system, and was designed at the CSIRO and developed in collaboration with the MARC group, University of Melbourne, and the GEMOC key-centre, Macquarie University. System Overview Lens system New quadrupole lens design Unique quintuplet lens configuration Computer controlled beam shaping controls Scanning and beam deflection Detector systems Data acquisition and analysis Target chamber
	The New GeoPIXE II Software Package A new GeoPIXE software package for PC has been released for quantitative PIXE image and analysis using the Dynamic Analysis method. It provides sorting of list-mode data, projection of quantitative images, extraction of concentration averages and line projections from arbitrary regions, correction for various spatial matrix effects, and various export and reporting outputs. GeoPIXE II Web Site Features of GeoPIXE II: PIXE Spectrum Fitting The Dynamic Analysis Method Quantitative Image Exploration Spatially Varying Matrix Effects List-mode Formats and Platforms Supported Recent new additions to GeoPIXE II
	Collaborative and contract research with the CSIRO The NMP is available for collaborative research projects and commercial analysis and imaging. Feel free to send an email message here to discuss your particular geological problem, research proposal or microanalytical requirements. Collaborative research Samples Fluid inclusion samples Preparation for fluid inclusion analysis Quotations and analysis costs Contact information
	The Australian Microscopy Virtual Laboratory The CSIRO-GEMOC Nuclear Microprobe is an integrated part of the "Australian Microscopy Virtual Laboratory" providing a common web-based interface to a range of microanalytical instruments across the CSIRO.
	Nuclear Microprobe ion beam analysis methods Ion-beam analysis methods involving the detection of induced X-rays, scattered particles or nuclear reaction products, provide tools for microanalysis, element imaging, light element detection, and the characterisation of trace element lattice residence. PIXE - proton induced X-ray emission PIGE - proton induced gamma-ray emission BS - backscattering spectrometry ERDA - elastic recoil detection analysis NRA - nuclear reaction analysis CCM - channeling contrast microscopy IL - ionoluminescence
	NMP application areas Research at the CSIRO has led to the development of new explorations methods for diamond, and unique data for ore characterisation and the study of ore-forming processes and the structure and evolution of the earth's mantle. This area is currently under construction. Ore fluid analysis through analysis of fluid inclusions in minerals Ore metallurgy and characterization using quantitative imaging Imaging sulfide ore chemistry and the crystallographic residence of gold Diamond exploration using trace element signatures in heavy indicator minerals 4D mapping of the earth's mantle as revealed by trace elements Melt inclusion analysis as a window on mantle metasomatism Trace element partitioning between minerals, melts, metals and fluids Technological materials characterization

For further information contact: Dr. Chris Ryan via email: (Chris.Ryan@csiro.au)

+61-3-9905 9087
+61-7-3327 4455 CSIRO Exploration and Mining
Bayview Road, Clayton VIC 3168
Australia

CSIRO Exploration and Mining