Fluorescent emission and nondestructive 3D textural imaging in geologic materials by multiphoton microscopy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of multiphoton microscopy for non-destructive 3D imaging and fluorescence analysis in geological samples, enabling detailed mineralogical investigations with potential for revolutionizing geologic analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of multiphoton microscopy for 3D imaging and fluorescence detection in mineral and rock samples, expanding geological investigative tools.

Findings

Successful 3D imaging of fluid inclusions in minerals

Detection of radiation-induced luminescence in meteorites

Enhanced spatial resolution of fluorescent sources in minerals

Abstract

We greatly expand the application of multiphoton microscopy to geological investigations by using a tightly focused femtosecond laser beam to excite fluorescent emissions among minimally prepared rock and mineral samples. This new finding provides a tool for spatially resolving UV-visible fluorescent sources in minerals. Using a unique combination of harmonic generation and fluorescence, we explore applications to mineralogical investigations of terrestrial rocks and astromaterials. We report first-order demonstrations for 3D imaging of fluid inclusions in minerals and radiation-induced luminescence in meteorites. Nonlinear optical mineralogy, enabled by multiphoton microscopy, provides unique insights in mineralogic samples and holds the potential to revolutionize the analysis of geologic and astromaterials samples in the coming years.