Micro-XRF

Micro-XRF is a non-destructive, versatile analytical technique which can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Our M4 Tornado PlusAMICS from Bruker is an advanced micro-XRF instrument. It provides detailed information about composition and element distribution, even below the sample surface, without damaging the sample. This technique requires minimal preparation and is optimised for high-speed analysis of points, lines, and 2D areas.

Equipment

Key features include:

  • Primary X-ray Tube (Rh source): Excites spot sizes < 20 µm (for Mo-Kα).
  • Secondary X-ray Tube (W source) with collimator: Excites heavy elements in lighter matrices.
  • Dual Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs): Enhance acquisition speed and minimise shadowing effects on non-planar samples.
  • Sealed Sample Chamber: Adjustable pressure between 1 mbar and atmospheric pressure.
  • Large Sample Stage: Accommodates samples up to 200 x 160 mm in area, 120 mm in height, and 7 kg in weight.
  • Helium Flush: Improves light element detection in biological or wet specimens.
  • AMICS Software: Automates mineral analysis.

Micro-XRF is ideal for rapid, detailed elemental mapping and analysis across a diverse range of materials .

Portfolio

Explore our research initiatives across diverse disciplines, including geoscience, mining, conservation, and art, building materials, semiconductors, and biology, through visually compelling examples.

Cross section of ferromanganese concretion showing elemental composition
Elemental composition map showing the distribution of Fe and Mn in shallow-water ferromanganese concretions from the Baltic Sea study (Wasiljeff et al., 2024).

 

Elemental maps showing Fe, S, P, Ca, Ti, and F1 (free energy range) of a dasyclad algae fossils, Late Ordovician in Estonia (Kröger et al.,2023).

 

Elemental maps and mineral analysis of granitic reservoirs using the Advanced Mineral Identification and Characterization System (AMICS) software (Bischoff et al., 2024).

 

A colourful circuit board showing the elements used in the item
Elemental maps of microelectronic components are used for troubleshooting and defect analysis, as well as for assessing the abundance and locations of precious metals or harmful substances (Courtesy of Alan Butcher).
Images of a heather plant and caprine teeth showing the elements found in objects.
Elemental distribution studies in plants provide insights into mineral nutrient deficiencies or excesses and the growth environment. In sheep teeth, these studies can reveal information about the place of origin and type of food consumed (Courtesy of Alan Butcher and Yann Lahaye).

Publications

2024

Ang, JWL, Bongrand, A, Duval, S, Donnard, J, Jolis EM, Utsunomiya S, Minomo, K, Koivula, R, Siitari-Kauppi, M, Law GTW. Detecting radioactive particles in complex environmental samples using real-time autoradiography. Sci Rep 14, 5413, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52876-w

Bischoff, A., Heap, M. J., Mikkola, P., Kuva, J., Reuschlé, T., Jolis, E. M., Engström J, Reijonen H, Leskelä T. Hydrothermally altered shear zones: A new reservoir playfor the expansion of deep geothermal exploration in crystalline settings. Geothermics, 118, 102895, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2023.102895

Reijonen, HM., Elminen, T, Heikkilä, P, Kuva J, Jolis EM. Enhanced Identification of Fracture Smectites and Other Alteration Minerals Via Short-Wave Infrared Reflectance at Two Finnish Crystalline Sites, Olkiluoto and Hyrkkölä. Rock Mech Rock Eng, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-03764-2

Wasiljeff, J, Salminen, JM, Roberts, AP, Hu, P., Brown, M, Kuva, J, Lukkari, S, Jolis, EM, Heinsalu, A, Hong, W.-L, Lepland, A, Suuroja, S, Parkkonen, J, Virtasalo, J. Morphology-Driven Magnetic Characteristics of Shallow-Water Ferromanganese Concretions. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 25, e2023GC011366. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GC011366

2023

Donnelly L, Pirrie D, Power M, Corfe I, Kuva J, Lukkari S, Lahaye Y, Liu X, Dehaine Q, Jolis EM, Butcher A. The recycling of end-of-life Lithium-ion batteries and the phase characterisation of black mass. Recycling, 8(4), 59, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling8040059

Kröger B, Tinn O, Rikkinen J, Jolis EM, Butcher AR, Toom U, Hints O. Noncalcified dasyclad algae from the Vasalemma Formation, late Sandbian (Late Ordovician) of Estonia. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 318, 104970, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.revpalbo.2023.104970

Sardisco L, Apeiranthitis N, Hirani J, Franzel M, Jolis EM, Lukkari S, Michallik RM, Tepsell J, Pearce TJ, Butcher AR. Battery Mineral Characterization—A Case Study of a Nickel Reference Material. Materials Proceedings, 15(1):83, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/materproc2023015083

2022

Mahesh A, Windmill R, Corfe IJ, Sungwoo L, Jolis EM, Lukkari S, Pankhurst MJ, Barbee OA, Coldwell BC, Rodriguez NP, Butcher AR. Volcanic ash as resource for furure research on the Earth and the Moon. Geology Today, 4, 144-148, 2023.

Nikkola P & Jolis EM. (2022) Mikro-XRF: alkuainekarttoja ja tehokkuutta raskasmineraalien tunnistamiseen. Geologi 74, Nro 2, p. 120-123, 2022.