title: Electron Probe Microanalysis of REE in Eudialyte Group Minerals: Challenges and Solutions.
abstract: Accurate quantification of the chemical composition of eudialyte group minerals (EGM) with the electron probe microanalyzer is complicated by both mineralogical and X-ray-specific challenges. These include structural and chemical variability, mutual interferences of X-ray lines, in particular of the rare earth elements, diffusive volatility of light anions and cations, and instability of EGM under the electron beam. A novel analytical approach has been developed to overcome these analytical challenges. The effect of diffusive volatility and beam damage is shown to be minimal when a square of 20×20 µm is scanned with a beam diameter of 6 µm at the fastest possible speed, while measuring elements critical to electron beam exposure early in the measurement sequence. Appropriate reference materials are selected for calibration considering their volatile content and composition, and supplementary offline overlap correction is performed using individual calibration factors. Preliminary results indicate good agreement with data from laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry demonstrating that a quantitative mineral chemical analysis of EGM by electron probe microanalysis is possible once all the parameters mentioned above are accounted for.
authors: 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology,Halsbruecker Str. 34,09599 Freiberg,Saxony,Germany.
authors: Petya
authors: P
authors: Atanasova
authors: 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology,Halsbruecker Str. 34,09599 Freiberg,Saxony,Germany.
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Krause
authors: 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology,Halsbruecker Str. 34,09599 Freiberg,Saxony,Germany.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Möckel
authors: 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology,Halsbruecker Str. 34,09599 Freiberg,Saxony,Germany.
authors: Inga
authors: I
authors: Osbahr
authors: 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology,Halsbruecker Str. 34,09599 Freiberg,Saxony,Germany.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Gutzmer
keywords: beam conditions; diffusive volatility; electron probe microanalyzer; eudialyte; rare earth elements