Sample submission and fees

If you would like to submit samples for analysis please contact Jeff Ovens. Please note that all samples submitted to the x-ray manager must be retrieved by the user after analysis. The x-ray manager is not responsible for samples left in the lab. They will be discarded.

Diffractometer Status:

•     Ultima IV – Operational

Sign-up for PXRD instrument time

• You must be a trained user to sign-up for instrument time. Go to www.google.com/calendar.  
• To book the Rigaku XRD, login with: [email protected] (contact Jeff Ovens for password)
• If the calendar is not displayed you can find it at the top of the screen.  Please provide your Name, Supervisor and Phone extension when reserving instrument time. If you require any help using the calendar contact me. 
• If a user does not show up within 15 minutes of a scheduled booking, another user is free to use the instrument. All instrument usage must be recorded in the instrument logbook, located next to the instrument.

Please use this link to submit a request for XRF analysis.

Please contact Jeff Ovens if you have any questions.

Instrument Status:

•     Rigaku Supermini200 WDXRF – Operational
•     Claisse M4 Fusion Fluxer – Operational

The fee structure for PXRD sample analysis is as follows:

•     Trained users from the University of Ottawa: $10/h
•     Non-trained users from the University of Ottawa: $22/h

until the cap of 3000$/year reached, all data collecting and processing above the cap price is FREE.

•     External users: $75/h
•     Training fee: $100/person

Fees are determined by the X-ray Facility Committee and are subject to change without prior notice.

Samples must be submitted as finely crushed powders (200 mesh or better). A minimum of 1 g of sample is required, however submission of 2 g or more is preferred. The fee rates for submissions from the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa-Carelton Geoscience Centre (OCGC) are outlined below:

Fees for tasks performed by X-Ray Core Facility Staff

Sample preparation:

• Standard fusion: $5/sample¹
• Standard pressed pellet: $6/sample
• LOI determination: $5/sample

XRF analysis:

• Standard run: $14/sample²

Fees for tasks performed by trained users

Sample preparation:

• Use of Claisse M4 Fusion Fluxer: $18/hour^1,3
• Use of facility pellet die and supplies: $4/sample⁴
• Use of high temperature furnace for LOI determination: FREE⁵

XRF analysis:

• Use of Rigaku Supermini200 WDXRF: $10/hour

Other fees and services:

• Claisse M4 Fusion Fluxer training: $50/user
• Pellet die and press training: $25/user⁴
• Rigaku Supermini200 WDXRF training: $100/user

Notes:

¹Some types of samples are known to cause difficulties in cleaning, or irreversible damage to the Pt crucibles we use for the fusion process. The presence of elemental sulphur or elemental metals must be disclosed upon submission so other sample preparation methods can be considered. A $50/crucible fee will be charged for any crucibles which require additional cleaning or polishing after use. Note that a significant contribution to the cost of a new crucible will be required in the event a crucible is irreveribly damaged.

²A standard run is defined as any request which can be fulfilled using our standard mafic or felsic rock calibration arrays.

³All trained users are encouraged to acquire their own flux chemicals to avoid cross contamination. Facility staff will gladly help in the acquisition and proper mixing of the correct flux recipes. Alternatively, we will provide premixed flux at a reasonable cost (approx. $1.25/sample).

⁴Researchers who wish to use our press dies and supplies must undergo formal training prior to doing so. Researchers who bring their own press dies and supplies may forgo formal training and use our hydraulic press free of charge after a brief no-cost orientation.

⁵After a brief no-cost orientation, researchers are permitted to use our balance and high temperature furnace to perofrm loss on ignition (LOI) determination fee of charge.

For external submissions, please contact Jeff Ovens for an estimate based on the scope of work to be completed.