Using microprobe distribution maps to determine homogeneity and correlation between elements

Microprobe elemental maps can be manipulated in several ways to extract inf ormation. In this paper we show two methods of obtaining information. One m ethod concerns the displaying of correlation between elements. A technique I for displaying two or three elements in one correlation map is described. Such a correlation map yields precise information about the overlap betwee n the elements without distorting the original data. A second method concerns the determination of the homogeneity. The homogene ity of small sample sizes has become more important due to improvements in sensitivity of many analytical techniques. We have explored the possibility of calculating a homogeneity factor from an elemental map. A procedure to check the validity of this calculation is proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.