33 research outputs found
L-shell ionization of Cd: Structure of the x-ray emission spectrum
The cadmium L x-ray spectrum induced by electron impact was analyzed in detail. The measurements were performed on a bulk pure sample using a commercial wavelength dispersive spectrometer, and the spectrum was processed with a parameter optimization method previously developed. This procedure permitted the determination of characteristic energies, relative transition probabilities and natural linewidths for this element. The results obtained here were compared to the data found in the literature, when available. Spectral structures related to satellite and radiative Auger Effect emissions were also analyzed, assessing energy shifts and relative intensities. Some of these parameters were determined for the first time, even in overlapping peaks and weak transitions, which was possible due to the robustness of the spectral processing method used.Fil: Fernandez, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: SepĂșlveda, A.. Universidad TecnolĂłgica Metropolitana; ChileFil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Experimental x-ray-production cross sections for the M3, M4, and M5 subshells of Pt and Au by electron impact
X-ray-production cross sections for M3, M4, and M5 subshells of Pt and Au by electron impact were experimentally determined at incident energies ranging between 2.8 and 28 keV. To this purpose, Pt and Au thick targets were irradiated by an electron beam in a field-emission-gun scanning electron microscope, and the x-ray-emission spectra were recorded with an energy-dispersive spectrometer. The x-ray-production cross sections were obtained as a result of the spectral processing performed through a careful parameter optimization routine previously developed, which involves an analytical function for the prediction of the experimental spectra, on the basis of ionization depth distribution functions. The results are compared with the scarce data available in the literature.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Segui Osorio, Silvina Inda Maria. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Nafion membrane channel structure studied by small-angle X-ray scattering and Monte Carlo simulations
The structure of Nafion 117 membranes was studied through SAXS experiments and 2D pattern simulations. Measurements were taken for different moisture conditions by synchrotron radiation, and for different temperatures through X-ray tube irradiation. The experimental profiles were fitted through simulations based on a new structural model including: the amorphous polymer matrix, polymer crystallites, and inverse core-shell type channels conformed by water cylinders and sulfonic chains. The geometrical parameters intervening in the simulation of the SAXS patterns were optimized for each experimental condition. This approach allowed the proper description of the experimental SAXS profiles for the various moisture conditions studied. In addition, a recent lamelar model was also included in the assessments, and the corresponding performances were discussed.Fil: Fernandez Bordin, Santiago Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Andrada, Heber Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Oliveira, Rafael Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en QuĂmica BiolĂłgica de CĂłrdoba. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias QuĂmicas. Centro de Investigaciones en QuĂmica BiolĂłgica de CĂłrdoba; ArgentinaFil: GalvĂĄn Josa, VĂctor MartĂn. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Structure of the Ru, Ag and Te L X-ray emission spectra
VersiĂłn aceptada del artĂculo; finalmente publicada en: Rodriguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela; Sepulveda Peñaloza, Andres Humberto; Carreras, Alejo Cristian; Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio; Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos; Structure of the Ru, Ag and Te L X-ray emission spectra; Royal Society of Chemistry; Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry; 31; 3; 2016; 780-789Fil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.The emission of X-rays in atomic transitions from L-shell vacancy states of Ru, Ag and Te induced by electron incidence was studied. To this end, L X-ray spectra were measured with a wavelength dispersive spectrometer, and processed by a parameter optimization method previously developed. A large set of atomic parameters corresponding to diagram transitions, such as relative transition probabilities, characteristic energies and natural linewidths of the three elements, were determined. The results obtained are compared to the data found in the literature, when available. In general terms a good agreement was observed, supporting recent calculations based on the framework of the relativistic many-body problem in atoms. Spectral structures related to satellite and radiative Auger emissions were also analyzed, and energy shifts and relative intensities were determined. Many of these parameters were determined for the first time, which was possible due to the robustness of the spectral processing method used, even in the cases of peak overlapping and weak transitions.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersionFil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: RodrĂguez Cabello, Tabatha Pamela. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: SepĂșlveda Peñaloza, AndrĂ©s Humberto. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, Alejo Cristian. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.Fil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina.Fil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentina.FĂsica AtĂłmica, Molecular y QuĂmica (fĂsica de ĂĄtomos y molĂ©culas incluyendo colisiĂłn, interacciĂłn con radiaciĂłn, resonancia magnĂ©tica, Moessbauer Efecto.
Chemical and mineralogical characterization of Aguada Portezuelo pottery from Catamarca, north-western Argentina: PIXE, XRD and SEM-EDS studies applied to surface pre- and post-firing paints, slips and pastes
Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microprobe analysis (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analytical techniques were used to characterize surface paints in pre- and post-fired Aguada Portezuelo decorated pottery. Surface paintings in black, white, red, brown, burgundy and ochre were analysed. Major, minor and trace elements were detected by PIXE, whereas XRD and SEM-EDS gave information on the main mineral phases and the characteristic morphology for each analysed pigment. The results obtained indicate that the main colour groups can be easily discriminated by PIXE, and they are characterized by only one pigment for each colour: hematite (red) and manganese mineral oxides (black), respectively, whereas white pigments are characterized by calcite, ghelenite and gypsum.Fil: de la Fuente, Guillermo Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Escuela de ArqueologĂa; ArgentinaFil: GalvĂĄn Josa, VĂctor MartĂn. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Limandri, Silvina Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Sergio David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Catamarca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Escuela de ArqueologĂa; ArgentinaFil: DĂas, Johnny Ferraz. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Suarez, Sergio Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. ComisiĂłn Nacional de EnergĂa AtĂłmica. Centro AtĂłmico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Bernardi, Guillermo Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. ComisiĂłn Nacional de EnergĂa AtĂłmica. Centro AtĂłmico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Bertolino, Silvana Raquel Alina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Global disparities in surgeonsâ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study
: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSSŸ v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI
Separate K-line contributions to fluorescence enhancement in electron probe microanalysis
The behaviour of the fluorescence enhancement correction factor in electron probe microanalysis, as a function of incident electron energy and take-off angle, is assessed for different binary samples in a wide range of compositions. Monte Carlo simulations are employed to validate Reed's correction algorithm [S.J.B. Reed, Characteristic fluorescence corrections in electron-probe microanalysis, Br. J. Appl. Phys. 16 (1965) 913-926], by means of estimating the primary excited radiation volume and the volume corresponding to secondary fluorescence generation. Then, Reed's expression for the fluorescence enhancement has been modified to account for Kα and KÎČ line contributions separately. It is clearly shown that in certain cases the assignment of all fluorescent contribution to the Kα lines may be inadequate, particularly when trace element analysis imposes an accurate determination of elemental concentrations.Fil: Venosta, Lisandro Francisco. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentin
Optimization of parameters in electron probe microanalysis
A method for the refinement of atomic and experimental parameters applicable to several spectroscopic techniques is presented. This kind of procedure, previously used in x-ray diffraction, is shown to be a powerful tool in electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). This method consists of minimizing the differences between an experimental x-ray spectrum and a function proposed to account for the bremsstrahlung and characteristic peaks from the corresponding sample, and also for detection artifacts. This complicated function involves several parameters related to different sources (x-ray production, x-ray attenuation, sample composition, x-ray detection, etc.). Initial values must be supplied for them, and after a numerical iterative procedure is performed, improved values are achieved. Depending on the particular situation, certain parameters may be known a priori, so that they can be fixed, allowing the others to vary. In this way, the method can be used for different purposes: determination of atomic parameters such as fluorescence yields transition rates or photoelectric cross-sections, quantitative standardless analysis, determination of detector characteristics, etc. This work is intended to present the general aspects of the method for refining EPMA parameters, and to give some examples of its application to the aforementioned issues. Even when only EPMA spectra are included in this work, the method can be applied to different spectroscopic techniques, such as x-ray fluorescence, particle-induced x-ray emission, etc. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Fil: Bonetto, Rita Dominga. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de InvestigaciĂłn y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de InvestigaciĂłn y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Trincavelli, Jorge Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Binding effects in sulfur Kα and KÎČ X-ray emission spectra
A systematic study has been carried out in order to investigate the influence of the chemical bond on the occurrence of different sulfur decays to 1s vacancy states induced by electron impact. A number of samples in different oxidation states (+4, +6, 0 and -2) were irradiated in a commercial microscope, acquiring Kα and KÎČ spectra for all sulfur oxidation states. Special attention has been paid to the case of emissions associated with decays corresponding to multiple ionizations. An important achievement of the present study is the high resolution obtained in the wavelength-dispersive spectra acquired with a commercial spectrometer.Fil: SĂĄnchez, E.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Torres Deluigi, MarĂa del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de QuĂmica, BioquĂmica y Farmacia. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Instituto de FĂsica Enrique Gaviola; Argentin
Mean Atomic Number Quantitative Assessment in Backscattered Electron Imaging
A method for obtaining quantitative mean atomic number images in a scanning electron microscope for different kinds of samples has been developed. The backscattered electron signal is monotonically increasing with the mean atomic number Z, and accordingly Z can be given as a function of the image gray levels. From results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations, an exponential function is fitted to convert the backscattered registered gray levels into a Z image map. Once this fitting was performed, the reproducibility of the Z determination was checked through the acquisition of backscattered electron images from metal and mineral standards. The developed method can be applied to any unknown sample, always controlling the experimental conditions, as shown here for a thin section of a rock in which several unknown mineral phases are present; the results obtained herein are compared to quantitative assessments performed with X-ray spectra from each mineral phase.Fil: Sanchez, Eloy Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de QuĂmica, BioquĂmica y Farmacia. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Torres Deluigi, MarĂa del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de QuĂmica, BioquĂmica y Farmacia. Instituto de QuĂmica de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Gustavo Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de MatemĂĄtica, AstronomĂa y FĂsica; Argentin