The X-ray Lab

The College of Wooster
https://xraylab.voices.wooster.edu/

Contact Information

Meagen Pollock

330-263-2202

mpollock@wooster.edu

Wooster

Ohio

Instrument Type

XRF

Rigaku ZSX Primus II

Application:

  • Mineral composition
  • Whole-rock analysis (major and trace element)

Typical Use:

Whole-rock analyses of fused beads and pressed pellets to determine major and trace element composition; large spot-size mapping analysis of polished slabs.

Conditions for Use:

  • 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
  • Training Session (short course) is offered
  • In all publications and presentations that include results from this lab, please acknowledge NSF grant EAR-0958928 and send a copy of the abstract or manuscript to the lab manager. All users must complete radiation safety training prior to operating the instrument.

User Fees:

User rates are subject to change at any time; contact lab manager for current rates; $6/sample to cover expendables for combined fused bead and pressed pellet preparation; combined major and trace element analyses cost $35/sample.

Instrument Priorities:

Priority is given on a first-come-first-served basis; an online calendar is maintained on the website; contact lab manager to schedule times.

Remote Use:

It is not possible to operate this instrument from a remote location.

Sample Preparation:

Samples should be powdered prior to preparation; samples may be powdered on-site in The College of Wooster sample prep lab; fused beads are prepared with the Katanax K1 electric fluxer; pressed pellets are prepared with Carver manual press.

Standard Collections/Lab Blanks:

Rigaku MinPak standards are used for calibration; USGS standards have been prepared in The College of Wooster X-ray lab.

Software:

Rigaku ZSX software is used to acquire and process the data; includes additional mapping application.

Educational Use:

  • Class demonstrations are available for undergraduates
  • Class demonstrations are available for K-12
  • Undergraduate student research projects are invited
  • Tutorials and other educational materials related to the lab are available
  • Graduate student research projects are invited


Support provided by:

Please acknowledge NSF grant EAR-0958928 to Dr. Meagen Pollock.