Elemental imaging by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the geological characterization of minerals. Issue 8 (10th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fabre, Cécile; Devismes, Damien; Moncayo, Samuel; Pelascini, Frédéric; Trichard, Florian; Lecomte, Andreï; Bousquet, Bruno; Cauzid, Jean; Motto-Ros, Vincent
• Is Part Of: Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry. Volume 33:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1345
• Page End: 1353
• Publication Date: 2018-07-10
• Subjects: Atomic spectra -- Periodicals; Atomic absorption spectroscopy -- Periodicals; 543.0858
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ja00048d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-9477

Abstract

Abstract : Evaluation of LIBS-based imaging for the detection of minor and trace elements in minerals with microscopic-scale resolution. Abstract : Geological studies increasingly require highly sensitive elemental techniques able to image the distribution of elements in minerals with microscopic-scale resolution. In this paper, we present an evaluation of megapixel laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) imaging for the geological characterization of minerals. The study is conducted on a hydrothermal ore sample with a complex mineral structure involving five different mineral phases (galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, quartz and ankerite). A new methodology of data treatment adapted to a multi-phase material and megapixel LIBS imaging is also detailed. We demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that LIBS-imaging technology is able to both detect and image rare earth elements (here La and Y) in carbonate as well as substituents present at the ppm-scale level in various mineral phases ( i.e., cadmium in sphalerite; bismuth, silver and antimony in galena; beryllium and aluminum in quartz; and tin in chalcopyrite). These results appear extremely promising for the geological domain and should pave the way for innumerable applications.