The software works by using a multitude of outputs from SEM, most notably using EDS data and BSE images, which are used in conjunction to separate out phases, minerals or grains, depending on the sample. This is then used to characterise sample using a classification scheme that can be one that has already been created, or a unique user input one if the sample has a specific characterisation scheme needed.
Different Automated mineralogy software characterise samples in different methods. We have two types of software in house. Zeiss’s Mineralogic (available spring/summer 2022) and Oxford Instrument’s AZtec Mineral.
The different software work better for different samples depending on what kind of analysis is needed.