All materials absorb, reflect or transmit electromagnetic radiation dependend on the wavelenght.
Thus materials can be distinguished respectively identified by their optical and thermal properties. The spectral behaviour, recorded as wavelength-selective reflectance or transmission spectra do also allow the quantification of matter by specific features in the spectra. This techniques are specifically suitable to record small variations of concentrations especially if it is used for the detection and quantification of fine-grained materials. Contrary to time-consuming classical methods our method allows several thousand samples a day and the measurement in situ on a surface, e.g. a split core. However this method is not limited to core material but can also be used for material testing and quality check.
Our method is non-destructive. Digital analysis of scanned or digitally photographed images of natural surfaces or prepared surfaces up to thin sections enables the computer-aided analysis of components. This comprises the identification and classification of different matter as well as the analysis of particle size and particle shape.