Cryogenic vitrification and 3D serial sectioning using high resolution cryo-FIB SEM technology for brine-filled grain boundaries in halite: first results
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_C51B2E446573
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Cryogenic vitrification and 3D serial sectioning using high resolution cryo-FIB SEM technology for brine-filled grain boundaries in halite: first results
Journal
Geofluids
ISSN
1468-8115
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Volume
8
Number
1
Pages
60-72
Language
english
Abstract
Abstract
The structure of brine films in grain boundaries of halite has been the subject of much controversy over the past 20 years; although a number of innovative methods have been developed to study these structures, much is still unknown and fundamental information is missing. In this study, we investigated different methods of plunge-freezing to vitrify the brine fill of grain boundaries for natural salt polycrystal. This was followed by a preliminary study of the 3D morphology of a vitrified grain boundary in a natural rock salt sample with a focused ion beam (FIB) excavation system. We have shown that brine-filled grain boundaries in rock salt can be efficiently well frozen when dimensions are less than about 1 mm. Coupled with an ion beam tool, cryo-SEM allows 3D observation of the well-frozen grain boundaries in large volumes and high resolution. Initial results of brine-filled natural halite grain boundaries show non-faceted crystal-brine interfaces and unexpectedly low dihedral angles at room temperature and pressure.
The structure of brine films in grain boundaries of halite has been the subject of much controversy over the past 20 years; although a number of innovative methods have been developed to study these structures, much is still unknown and fundamental information is missing. In this study, we investigated different methods of plunge-freezing to vitrify the brine fill of grain boundaries for natural salt polycrystal. This was followed by a preliminary study of the 3D morphology of a vitrified grain boundary in a natural rock salt sample with a focused ion beam (FIB) excavation system. We have shown that brine-filled grain boundaries in rock salt can be efficiently well frozen when dimensions are less than about 1 mm. Coupled with an ion beam tool, cryo-SEM allows 3D observation of the well-frozen grain boundaries in large volumes and high resolution. Initial results of brine-filled natural halite grain boundaries show non-faceted crystal-brine interfaces and unexpectedly low dihedral angles at room temperature and pressure.
Keywords
brine, cryo-SEM, FIB, grain boundary, halite, serial sectioning, vitrification
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
28/02/2012 19:22
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:40