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McPherson Spectrometers Measure New Light
Shed by Smithsonian Mineral Sciences

The system shown at right is comprised of a microscope, a relay lens accessory, fiber optic/CCD selector, and CCD imaging camera. The fiber optic/CCD selector was custom built at McPherson and allows researchers at the Smithsonian to image their mineralogical samples directly to a CCD or to a fiber optic, leading to our McPherson Model 272.

The samples on the microscope stage are excited by cathode luminescence (a 20 keV electron beam) until they emit light, which subsequently is analyzed spectrally with the McPherson Model 272. This permits the Smithsonian researchers to learn more about the composition and age of the minerals they're studying.

cathode luminescence light collection for Model 272
rock excited by cathode luminescence CL Application The photos show a thin slice of rock (biotite-hornblende). The photo (far left) was taken in transmission mode, typical in conventional microscopy. The photo (near left) was excited by cathode luminescence (CL). The same sample is shown in both photos. The CL excitation and spectral analysis reveals details like never before! The Model 272 simplifies spectral identification of the elements involved.

"in this 170 million year old sample of volcanic tuff the yellow luminescence has begun to replace the blue luminescent k-feldspar" "the yellow (plagioclase) components were transported into the vein about 100 million years ago"

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