Special Techniques

Abstract

This book is mostly concerned with the study of microstructures in normal thin sections under the petrographic microscope. This is a fast, cheap method which gives a lot of information on rock deformation, but other techniques are also available for the study of small scale structures. In this chapter we give a short outline of all these techniques, some of which are relatively new. The aim is not to give a full introduction to each technique, or to allow the reader to use these techniques independently. Rather, we wish to introduce alternative techniques up to a level where the reader will be able to decide if a particular technique is useful and applicable to his specific type of samples and scientific problem. A choice of literature is provided for further reading on each subject. Information is also given on methods of sample preparation. Since this book deals with microstructures, we restrict ourselves to analytical laboratory techniques that use minerals in their original arrangement in the rock, similar to that in a thin section, excluding techniques that use powdered or dissolved rocks or minerals for analysis. The chapter treats the following themes; cathodoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, X-ray tomography, U-stage, goniometers, electron microprobe, proton microprobe, mass spectrometry, in situ age dating techniques and fluid inclusion studies.