Multi-scale LIBS imaging of sulfosalts: From rapid mineral discrimination to high-resolution imaging of critical elements
Abstract
Understanding the distribution of elements between the cores and mantles of planetary bodies is essential for elucidating the geological and geochemical processes operating during their formation. Because the semi-metallic element Ge shows complex siderophile, chalcophile, and lithophile properties, it is particularly significant for investigating core–mantle segregation and ore deposit formation. Recent advancements in in situ microanalysis techniques, such as μLIBS, have enabled high-resolution elemental mapping of Ge and other trace elements. This study explores the application of μLIBS imaging to investigate the high-temperature/high-pressure distribution of Ge between metallic and silicate matrices analogous to planetary cores and mantles. By cross-calibrating the μLIBS intensities with electron microprobe profile analyses carried out on piston cylinder experimental samples, we produced semi-quantitative Ge maps from which we extracted Ge concentration profiles to assess Ge diffusion from the silicate to the metal. We determined, for the first time, the diffusion coefficient of Ge between metal and silicate to be D(Ge)metal = 4.03E−13 ± 3.6E−14 m2/s at 1 GPa and 1350 °C. Our results demonstrate the capability and efficiency of μLIBS for providing detailed, high-resolution (15 μm) trace element concentration data at few ppm levels, offering a time- and cost-effective alternative to conventional techniques. These findings bring insights on planetesimal differentiation and on chemical exchanges between metal and silicate phases in a magma ocean and between two different metal phases occurring at the bottom of the magma ocean during planetesimal formation.
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BibTeX
@article{fabre2026multiscale,
title = {{Multi-scale LIBS imaging of sulfosalts: From rapid mineral discrimination to high-resolution imaging of critical elements}},
author = {Cécile Fabre and Marjolène Jatteau and Panagiotis Voudouris and Margarita Melfou and Vincent Motto-Ros and Samy Guellour and Jordan Fernandes and Alexandre Tarantola},
journal = {Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.sab.2026.107658},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05785808v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multi-scale LIBS imaging of sulfosalts: From rapid mineral discrimination to high-resolution imaging of critical elements
AU - Cécile Fabre
AU - Marjolène Jatteau
AU - Panagiotis Voudouris
AU - Margarita Melfou
AU - Vincent Motto-Ros
AU - Samy Guellour
AU - Jordan Fernandes
AU - Alexandre Tarantola
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/26
JO - Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy
DO - 10.1016/j.sab.2026.107658
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05785808v1
AB - Understanding the distribution of elements between the cores and mantles of planetary bodies is essential for elucidating the geological and geochemical processes operating during their formation. Because the semi-metallic element Ge shows complex siderophile, chalcophile, and lithophile properties, it is particularly significant for investigating core–mantle segregation and ore deposit formation. Recent advancements in in situ microanalysis techniques, such as μLIBS, have enabled high-resolution elemental mapping of Ge and other trace elements. This study explores the application of μLIBS imaging to investigate the high-temperature/high-pressure distribution of Ge between metallic and silicate matrices analogous to planetary cores and mantles. By cross-calibrating the μLIBS intensities with electron microprobe profile analyses carried out on piston cylinder experimental samples, we produced semi-quantitative Ge maps from which we extracted Ge concentration profiles to assess Ge diffusion from the silicate to the metal. We determined, for the first time, the diffusion coefficient of Ge between metal and silicate to be D(Ge)metal = 4.03E−13 ± 3.6E−14 m2/s at 1 GPa and 1350 °C. Our results demonstrate the capability and efficiency of μLIBS for providing detailed, high-resolution (15 μm) trace element concentration data at few ppm levels, offering a time- and cost-effective alternative to conventional techniques. These findings bring insights on planetesimal differentiation and on chemical exchanges between metal and silicate phases in a magma ocean and between two different metal phases occurring at the bottom of the magma ocean during planetesimal formation.
SN - 0584-8547
SN - 1873-3565
ER -