Cathodoluminescence spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the micro-characterisation of rocks and minerals, complementary to other electron microscopy-based techniques, such as backscattered electron (BSE) imaging and energy/wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS/WDS).

In this white paper, we show how the technique can be employed to study quartz sandstone, a common type of sedimentary rock, which has gained both fundamental interest as well as practical interest in the form of fossil fuel exploration and extraction. In particular, we apply panchromatic (unfiltered), color-filtered, and hyperspectral cathodoluminescence imaging to reveal textures and contrasts of interest at the microscale which can aid in establishing the geological history as well as in porosity/permeability studies of such rocks.

Download the Whitepaper