Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA), also known simply as "microprobe" analysis, is the best choice for all suspected meteorites that are not completely metallic. As long as the sample has some rocky material, EPMA analysis is appropriate.
*If your sample is completely metallic, then XRF analysis is the correct service option to determine if your sample is likely an iron meteorite. After XRF analysis has determined the sample is likely an iron meteorite, we will recommend you to an affiliated laboratory that specializes in SF ICP-MS or INNA classification for iron meteorites.
What's Next: Purchase the EPMA analysis service above. After the order is complete, you will receive instructions on how to proceed and where to mail your analysis sample.
After you complete the order you will receive an email with clear instructions explaining how to provide LMAC with an approximately 25 to 30 gram (or larger) representative sample from the suspected meteorite or group of meteorites.
***IMPORTANT - you must provide a working email address, as this is the only way LMAC will be able to communicate with you regarding the status of your submission(s) and deliver your EPMA analysis report. It is therefor vital that you provide LMAC with a valid email address, and update your email with us should it change during the course of the analysis process.
What We Do: we will prepare the sample for analysis, perform diagnostic EPMA analysis to determine specific elemental ratios for olivine, pyroxenes, feldspars, and certain opaque minerals to establish if the sample is a meteorite or not. If the sample is a meteorite, we will determine exactly what class of meteorite it is. As part of this process, LMAC will create a writeup for the meteorite and submit it to the Meteoritical Society's Nomenclature Committee for approval, official name, and publication in the Meteoritical Bulletin.
Summary of the All-inclusive Analysis & Classification Service
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Sample Prep - Making of one 25mm probe mount or thin section required for microprobe analysis. These are donated with the repository material for archival and future research.
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Type Donation Processing & Management - According to the rules set forth by the Meteoritical Society, 20 grams or 20% of the total known weight of the specimens (TKW), whichever is less, must be donated to an approved repository in order to receive an official name, and have it published in the Meteoritical Bulletin. LMAC will verify, approve, and transfer the Type Donation to the TCU repository, or another Meteoritical Society approved repository.
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EPMA "microprobe" Analysis - Specimen specific geochemical and petrographic analysis prescribed by the classifying researcher and the microprobe lab manager.
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Classification - Determining if the sample is a meteorite or not. If the sample is determined to be a meteorite, establishing exactly what classification.
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Write-up & Submission - If sample is a meteorite, LMAC will synthesize the analysis data into an accurate, well formed, and defensible classification writeup for submission to the Nomenclature Committee for approval, official name or DCA number, and publication in the Meteoritical Bulletin.
- Report - A comprehensive analysis report in PDF format will be emailed to the email on file.
*There are rare times when it may be necessary to perform oxygen isotopic analysis, optical microscopy, or a second-round of EPMA analysis to establish the exact classification of the meteorite or distinguish a smaple from a close terrestrial chemical analogue. However, in most cases the first-round of EPMA analysis is sufficient.
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Lapidary Services I Analysis Sample Preparation
LMAC offers a basic lapidary service to facilitate removal of the smaller analysis and repository donation sample in instances where clients that are submitting a sample for analysis cannot cut the required 25 to 30 gram analysis and donation sample from the larger primary specimen themselves. *This service is only offered to clients who have purchased the EPMA analysis for suspected meteorites.
This service fee is for one cut on one sample, and does not include the shipping and handling costs to return the remainder of the specimen after the analysis and donation sample have been cut. Shipping fees will be calculated based on the specimen's wight and dimensions as well as the requested shipping service and associated insurance.
*LMAC cannot take responsibility for lost or damaged specimens during shipping. We therefore suggest appropriate shipping insurance is purchased from the respective shipping service provider.
Please note: EPMA analysis services for suspected meteorites already include cutting, mounting, polishing and carbon coating of the analysis sample from a submitted sample of approximately 25 to 30 grams. If you can cut or break-off a 25 to 30 gram piece from the larger main specimen(s), this lapidary service is not required.