Analytical Geochemistry Laboratory

Keene State College

Contact Information

Tim Allen

603-358-2571

tallen@keene.edu

Keene

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Instrument Type

WHOLE ROCK ANALYSIS - XRF X-ray Fluorescence

Rigaku ZSX 100e

Application:

Whole-rock analysis (major and trace element)
Fluid or gas analysis

Typical Use:

4KW Wavelength Dispersive XRF Spectrometer, in addition to traditional bulk chemical analyses on fused beads or pressed powders (rocks, sediments, soils, etc...), is also capable of interactively-selected small-spot analysis (0.5 millimeters) and elemental mapping (e.g. minerals - in situ in rock slabs or in thin-sections). We can analyze solid samples in a vacuum, and liquid samples in a helium atmosphere.

Conditions for Use:

Submitted samples will be analyzed on a contract basis (i.e. lab personnel will do the work).
Visitors are invited to work in the lab to work with lab personnel.
Visitors are invited to work in the lab to design and do the work yourself.

User Fees:

Academic users, $5 per specimen plus cost of any materials and/or staff assistance; contact Tim Allen to discuss your project.

Instrument Priorities:

Priority use is for undergraduate classes and student projects.

Remote Use:

Not really.

Sample Preparation:

Powdered rock, sediment or soil samples are fused into glass beads and/or pressed into pellets for analysis. Slabs of rock or other objects, ideally with a good flat surface, that will fit within the sample cup (<51 mm diameter, <30 mm height) can also be analyzed.

Standard Collections/Lab Blanks:

We currently have a limited set of rock standard reference materials. Depending on the user's project, they may need to provide (or develop their own) additional standards. Some applications can be done in "standard-less" mode.

Software:

Rigaku ZSX software fully automates the data acquisition and processing, and offers a variety of analytical approaches (FP, empirical, scans). In addition, the software supports interactive selection of spots for small-spot analysis and elemental mapping.

Educational Use:

Class demonstrations are available for undergraduates.
Class demonstrations are available for K-12.
Undergraduate student research projects are invited.
Graduate student research projects are invited.
Tutorials and other educational materials related to the lab are available.
Contact Tim Allen for more information, and see http://kilburn.keene.edu/GEOL/xrf/


Support provided by:

This facility was developed with support from NSF Award #0087860 with matching funds from Keene State College.