SEM-EDS analysis

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Method synopsis

Mica sheets are placed over thin sections, irradiated in a nuclear reactor, and examined under microscopy to identify areas of elevated uranium concentration through fission track density patterns. This method can detect uranium below SEM-EDS detection limits.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Using Fission-Track Radiography Coupled with Scanning Electron Microscopy for Efficient Identification of Solid-Phase Uranium Mineralogy at a Former Uranium Pilot Mill (Grand Junction, Colorado) (2021), Geosciences. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Mica placement for fission-track radiography
   Mica sheets were placed over the standard thin sections, with small drill holes created to align the fission-tracked mica and the thin section for later correlation. The mica and thin section were then prepared for nuclear irradiation.
   Quantities: One mica sheet per thin section, small drill holes for alignmentDuration: Not specifiedConditions: Laboratory conditions
   Equipment: mica sheets, small drill
2. Nuclear reactor irradiation
   The thin section and mica combinations were irradiated in a nuclear research reactor. The radioactive decay of irradiated uranium creates fission tracks that can be viewed with a microscope.
   Quantities: Not specifiedDuration: Not specifiedConditions: Nuclear research reactor environment
   Equipment: nuclear research reactor
3. Fission-track microscopy examination
   The fission tracks created in the mica from radioactive decay were examined under a microscope (Zeiss model 472190-000/11) using standard petrographic techniques under plain light, reflected light, and crossed Nicols prisms. Areas with higher density of fission tracks correspond to areas with more fission events and higher uranium concentration.

Typical Equipment

• mica sheets
• nuclear research reactor
• Zeiss model 472190-000/11 microscope
• Epson Perfection V800 Photo scanner

Output Measurements

• fission track density maps
• uranium concentration locations

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Places Where Used