Electron Microprobe Analysis
A hands-on introduction to quantitative chemical analysis of inorganic solids using the electron microprobe. The course covers the theory behind X-ray microanalysis, including wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometry (WDS and EDS) and ZAF matrix correction procedures used to convert raw X-ray counts into elemental compositions. It also covers scanning electron imaging techniques: back-scattered electron (BSE) and secondary electron (SE) imaging, X-ray elemental mapping via WDS or EDS, and cathodoluminescence (CL). Lab sessions give students direct experience operating a JEOL JXA-8200 Superprobe, the instrument used throughout the course for sample analysis. Offered by MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences through MIT OpenCourseWare, materials include lecture notes and lab exercises under a Creative Commons license, free to access with no certificate offered.