Urgent replacement of a powder X-ray diffractometer for multidisciplinary geoscience research

粉末X射线衍射法是分析包括矿物在内的晶态固体的最基本技术之一。所使用的X射线辐射波长对应于原子平面之间的间距，这意味着关于成键类型、化学成分、有序等的信息都可以通过分析入射X射线的衍射产生的图案来得出。由于晶体材料的化学和原子结构在许多方面都是独一无二的，它们产生的X射线衍射图也同样是独一无二的，这意味着粉末X射线PXRD可以成为对被分析材料进行指纹识别的强大工具。在地球科学中，对岩石进行分析，包括原生岩石和随时间改变(改变)的岩石，后者是由于压力、温度、化学等的变化而产生的。使用X射线衍射仪进行研究的广泛目标是更好地了解岩石及其所含矿物的地质环境是如何随着时间的推移而演变的，从而为我们星球的历史提供洞察。X射线衍射分析的数据也为了解矿石系统如何发展以及如何勘探提供了线索，主要是通过记录存在的矿物类型(例如，硫化矿石)，以及通过描述与各种矿石系统有关的蚀变类型的矿物。此外，由于存在的次生矿物反映了相对的蚀变条件，因此可以认为PXRD对于停止作业后的采矿环境修复至关重要，而且这些数据还可以用来制定减轻矿山废水的有效方法。PXRD在地球科学研究中的应用包括确定存在的矿物及其模式丰度，这一组合提供了解决地质环境如何随时间演变所需的数据；量化这些特征将扩大我们关于地质演化如何发生的知识，但同样也包括特定地质环境为什么和在哪里发展，包括矿藏在哪里发生。正在申请资金，以更换过时的PXRD系统，该系统将有能力分析大量岩石样品，但也能分析少量蚀变矿物(涂层、细粒矿物)的材料。这一结合将使地球科学的广大用户能够从不同的角度研究地质环境：地球早期历史、矿藏矿物学、针对矿物勘探的蚀变研究和与采矿有关的废物的修复。采矿和矿产勘探是加拿大国内生产总值的主要组成部分，所要求的仪器设备将在继续支持研究项目方面发挥关键作用，这些项目对于确保加拿大在采矿和矿产勘探方面保持国际舞台上的强大参与者至关重要。

Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is one of the most basic techniques used in the analysis crystalline solids, including minerals. The wavelength of X-ray radiation used corresponds to spacings between planes of atoms, meaning information on bonding types, chemical composition, ordering, etc., can all be derived from analyzing the pattern produced through the diffraction of incident X-rays. Since the chemistry and atomic structure of crystalline materials are in many ways unique, the X-ray diffraction patterns they produce are equally unique, meaning that powder X-ray PXRD can be a powerful tool in fingerprinting the materials being analyzed. In the geosciences, analyses are made of rocks, both primary and those modified (altered) through time, the latter resulting from changes in pressure, temperature, chemistry, etc. The broad goal of research using PXRD is to better understand how geological environments of rocks and the minerals they contain, have evolved through time, thus providing insights into the history of our planet. Data from PXRD analyses also provide clues to understanding how ore systems develop and how they can be explored for, primarily by documenting the mineral types present (e.g., sulfide ores), but also by the minerals that characterize the styles of alteration associated with various ore systems. Further, PXRD can be considered essential to the remediation of mining environments after the cessation of operations, as the secondary minerals present reflect relative conditions of alteration, but also the data can be used to develop effective methods of mitigating mine effluent. The application of PXRD in geoscience research involves identifying the minerals present along with their modal abundances, this combination providing the data needed to address how geological environments evolve through time; quantifying these features will expand our knowledge as to how geological evolution occurs, but equally, why and where specific geological environments develop, including where mineral ores occur. Funds are being requested to replace a dated, obsolete PXRD system that will have the capacity to analyze rock samples in the bulk form, but also small quantities of materials of alteration minerals (coatings, fine-grained minerals). This combination will provide access to a broad range of users in the geosciences conducting research into geological environments from a variety of perspectives: Earth's early history, the mineralogy of ore deposits, alteration studies directed at mineral exploration and the remediation of mine-related wastes. Mining and mineral exploration represent a major component of Canada's gross-domestic product and the requested instrumentation will play a key role in continuing to support research programs that are critical to ensuring Canada remains a strong player on the international stage when it comes mining and mineral exploration.