Data for: QEMSCAN as a method of semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis: Insights from Apollo 15 mare basalts
Description
Data collected for the manuscript 'QEMSCAN as a method of semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis: Insights from Apollo 15 mare basalts'. In this study we investigate the feasibility of using Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANing electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) for semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis. Presented here are full resolution backscattered electron (BSE) maps, QEMSCAN mineral phase maps and QEMSCAN-derived energy dispersive x-ray (EDS) maps collected as part of this project. Backscattered electron (BSE) maps of each sample were gathered using a FEI QUANTA 650 field emission gun (FEG) scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the University of Manchester. The FEI QEMSCAN at the University of Manchester operates using the same QUANTA 650 FEG SEM, equipped with a single Bruker XFlash energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), at an accelerating voltage of 25 kV and a 10 nA beam current. This set-up was used to collect QEMSCAN data in field scan mode, which produces full images of each field of the sample block, giving both qualitative major element chemical maps and a mineral phase map of the full thin section. Mineral phase maps of each sample were acquired using step sizes (i.e. pixel sizes) of 5, 10 and 20 microns (referred to as Q5, Q10 and Q20). The EDS maps were produced using the 5 micron step-size QEMSCAN field scans for each sample. The data are divided into folders based on sample thin section number.