 Cathodoluminescence microscopy is useful for recognising distinct cement generations that may otherwise appear indistinguishable. Cathodoluminescence can also reveal differences within detrital grain populations that may be useful for tracing sediment provenance. Cathodoluminescence is observed by recording the intensity of light emitted when a polished rock surface is bombarded with a critically focused beam of charged gas molecules.
Fluorescence microscopy can also reveal growth zoning in mineral cements, but is especially useful for detecting hydrocarbon-filled fluid inclusions, where the colour and intensity of fluorescence can be used to estimate the API gravity of trapped oil. |
