Title: Spectroscopic Methods in Mineralogy and Materials Sciences
Abstract: (RIMG vol.78), Grant S. Henderson, Daniel R. Neuville and Robert T. Downs, editors. (2014) Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, i–xvii + 569 pages. ISBN 0-939950-84-7; ISBN13 978-0-939950-84-3. http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/RIM/rim78.html
Spectroscopic techniques for mineralogical analysis are expanding and improving at an extremely rapid pace. Spectroscopic Methods in Mineralogy and Materials Sciences builds on the foundation presented by its predecessor, Reviews in Mineralogy Vol. 18, Spectroscopic Methods in Mineralogy and Geology , presenting both new techniques and updates to some of those presented in the earlier volume. As a whole, the volume is well organized and related chapters by different authors cross-reference one another, providing complementary information without duplicating background information. Most of the chapters provide an overview of the fundamental physics exploited by their respective techniques, the benefits and limitations, and examples of geological problems to which the techniques are applicable. Thus, this book should be helpful both as a general introduction to the array of spectroscopic methods available to mineralogists and materials scientists and as a more rigorous reference volume describing different techniques for those seeking to address a specific scientific problem. Like many of the other RIMG volumes, Spectroscopic Methods in Mineralogy and Materials Sciences is a valuable resource for graduate students and experienced researchers alike.
The volume begins with a series of chapters on X-ray techniques. Chapter 1 introduces X-ray diffraction theory, including the characteristics and advantages of different types of X-ray sources available, from lower energy sources used in local laboratories through high-energy synchrotron sources. This general information provides a foundation for both the X-ray diffraction techniques described in this chapter, as well as for later chapters that focus on different X-ray techniques. It goes on to explain the different methods available …