Department of Geological Sciences
X-Ray Flourescence Laboratory
John W. Shervais , Director
Department of Geological Sciences X-ray Flourescence Laboratory is built around a Philips PW-1400
Automated X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) with a dedicated 486DX2 (66 MHz) PC for
instrument control and data reduction. Matrix corrections are done on-line using Philips X40 software
(fundamental parameters approach). This instrument uses a Philips PX-1 multi-layer synthetic crystal for
light element analysis and a Rhodium X-ray tube. This instrument was upgraded in 1994 with a $35,000
equipment grant from NSF and $30,000 in matching funds from USC.
Complete sample preparation facilities are available, including a fusion lab for making glass disks for
major element XRF analysis, a strip furnace for fused bead EMP analysis, Sartorius MC-1 electronic
balance, a complete thin section lab, polishing equipment for the prepration of polished probe sections,
and clean rock crushing equipment (mini-jaw crusher, SPEX shatterbox with both tungsten carbide and
alumina sample containers).