Earth sciences | University of Parma

Professor
Academic discipline: Mineralogia (GEO/06)
Field: A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity: Student's choice

42 hours
of face-to-face activities

6 credits

hub: PARMA

course unit
in - - -

lectures timetable unavailable

exam calls

Learning objectives

To learn the basic techniques in mineral and rock analysis and their application to gemology and to ceramic, concrete, and environmental sciences

Prerequisites

Classes in Mineralogy, Petrology,Chemistry and Physics

Course unit content

Analytical methods in Mineralogy and applications

Full programme

Part One: analytical methods in mineralogy.

X-ray diffraction. Diffraction in crystals, Laue and Bragg equations. Powder diffraction: principles and use (mineral identification). The diffractometer: Debye and Bragg-Brentano geometries. The Rietveld method and the quantitative analysis of minerals. Single crystal diffraction: the reciprocal lattice and the reflection sphere. Intensity of diffraction and structure factor.

Electron microscopy and microanalysis: limits of optical microscopy and principles of transmission electron microscopy. Electron microprobe and fluorescence. ZAF corrections and analytical problems.

Spectroscopic analyses. Raman and IR spectroscopy.

Part Two: Applied Mineralogy.

Applications of the techniques of analysis of minerals in concrete and ceramic sciences, in gemology and in environmental issues. Applications to planetary geology.

Practical lessons will be focussed to learn the basics in Rietveld analysis of diffraction patterns.

Bibliography

Wenk and Bulakh (2004) Minerals, their constitution and origin. Cambridge university press.

Teaching methods

Classes and demonstrations. Visit to analytical laboratory.

Assessment methods and criteria

oral test

Other information

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APPLIED MINERALOGY cod. 00724