© HZDR / Detlev Müller

Technology

 

ERZLABOR uses analytical instruments from the group of ‘Automated Mineralogy’/‘Automated Materials Characterization’. ERZLABOR applies the analytical systems MLA (Mineral Liberation Analyzer) and QEMSCAN (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy) of the world market leader FEI Company (now a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.).

The analytical method is based on the principle of scanning electron microscopy. Automated image acquisition and analysis is carried out coupled with the acquisition of energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. Analyses of sample material are made under high vacuum and require excellent polished surfaces.

While MLA is optimized for the rapid analysis of mineral processing products as well as for the search for precious metals or trace minerals in the samples, QEMSCAN is particularly suitable for the detailed measurement of large-area samples, e.g. polished thin sections.