Analytical Services

New prices since 06/2018! We are your partner for fast and reliable analytical work of mineral phases and compounds!

With our unique combination and comprehensive analytical methods (P-XRD, SEM-EDS and Raman spectroscopy) we are the leader for analytical identification of mineralogical samples and compounds. It is important for us that you will have a definite answer on your questions, therefore we can combine several methods and our knowledge to identify your samples. If your sample should be a unknown phase to date, a complete structural solution might be the next step till the mineral will be accepted as a new species. We will help you in this process with all our experience.

If you should have another request and you think we might be the best partner for, don´t hesitate to write us an e-mail via our contact form.

Guidelines for the choice of an analytical method for phase ID:

Chemical analysis of a sample (EDS Analysis)

The energy dispersive xray analysis carried out with a SEM gives information about the chemical compounds within the sample.

cd1

→ remlabor →

recommended, if:	not recommended, if:
very small sample amounts (µg regime)	sample are likely to consist only out of very light elements (< carbon)
ore-microscopic studies with inhomogenity (cut is necessary before!)	differentiation between complex silicates or mineral phases where too many chemical related phases exist (eg. Tl-sulfides, sulfosalts) Accuracy at moderate atomic weight ~ 5-10at%
studies of morphology; sometimes morphology gives a hint on the underlying symmetry and allows assigment to a crystal system	if you have enough material to waste and powder diffraction is more suitable

Raman Spectroscopy on mineralogical samples (Raman Spectroscopy)

Raman spectroscopy allows the identification of small amounts of unknown crystalline solids by inelastic scattering of light due to vibrational transitions within the molecules scale. These will give a typical spectrum depending on the chemical environment and/or Raman active groups which can be fitted to reference data. Even if the Raman spectrum is not as "comprehensible" as the XRD in the most cases it is, it allows to obtain data from an extremely small sample amount without destruction.

quartz → nr3 550px →

recommended, if:	not recommended, if:
very small sample amounts (mg-µg regime) common minerals shall be identified, as not all are have a reference up to now	if fluorescence superimposes with the Raman spectrum very strong.
sensitive for modification distinction, like XRD Raman spectra are a result of the structural character of the crystal, eg. local symmetry	sulfides, metals rare phases with missing references data, or some rare minerals published 10 years or more before.
no isolation from the crystal out of the matrix, insitu measurement	very sensitive too crystallinity, sometimes too sensitive for a successful phase ID

XRD - Xray Powder Diffraction (P-XRD)

Powder diffraction of a sample (P-XRD) allows the identification of crystalline phases.
Minimum amount is around 1mg.

P1010028 → →

recommended, if:	not recommended, if:
highest accuracy	very small sample amounts (µg regime) sample should not be destroyed
sensitive for spatial changes in the crystal structure due to atomic substitution, phase transition	structure is known, but chemical composition is needed for further classification (often within a specific mineral group, eg. vivianite group)
chemical information is not suitable or sufficient for phase ID	ore microscopic examination with trace amounts, eg. rare phases with only a phase volume percentage of less than 1%