Micro-XRF Spectrometers

M4 TORNADO AMICS

Automated Mineralogy for micro-XRF

Advanced Mineral Identification and Characterization System

The only automated mineralogy solution for micro-XRF

16x19
cm
Measurement area
Perfect for drill core or slabbed rocks - no polish or coating needed for analysis in the M4 TORNADOS's large low-vacuum sample chamber
<20
µm
Spot size
Map major, minor and trace elements and minerals at the resolution needed for most geologic problems
>1340
Minerals in the database
AMICS is pre-loaded with a user-expandable mineral database and uses whole spectrum matching of unknowns to this database

Automated Micro-XRF Analysis with Mineral and Phase Identification 

M4 TORNADO AMICS is an innovative system for automated mineralogy that combines the ultra-fast, high-resolution elemental imaging power of the M4 TORNADO with the automation and phase classification technology of our AMICS software.

The M4 TORNADO is a benchtop micro-XRF spectrometer that uses X-ray excitation to collect energy spectra for non-destuctive elemental anaylsis. 

AMICS is our automated mineralogy software which transforms raw spectral data into mineralogical information. It automates mineral identification, phase classification, and quantitative reporting, providing users with accurate and reproducible results. 

M4 TORNADO AMICS is the seamless integration of these two platforms into one powerful package.

This combined system delivers users with fully automated workflows to accelerate mineral analysis, support process optimization, and enhance decision-making in mining, metallurgy, and geoscience research.

Micro-XRF element map (left), and false color mineral distribution map (generated using the AMICS for micro-XRF platform) of a sample from a copper porphyry. Integrating the two data sets provides an in-depth understanding of the rock’s history in the context of the overall deposit evolution.

Increase Throughput, Accuracy and Efficency with Automated Mineralogical Analysis

M4 TORNADO AMICS is engineered to accelerate mineralogical workflows, empowering geoscientists with advanced tools to streamline rock and mineral analysis. Below are key features that transform complex analyses into reliable results.

Analyze Large and Irregular Samples

M4 TORNADO AMICS is a powerful tool for mineralogical research, delivering analytical-grade accuracy in a benchtop package.

The M4 TORNADO's large sample chamber accommodates irregular or unprepared samples such as slabbed cores, hand sample slabs, thin section billets, and even unpolished grain mounts. Operating at low atmospheric pressure, it requires only a flat surface with no coating or polishing. 

By reducing the effort for sample preparation and delivering fast, reliable mineral characterization, M4 TORNADO AMICS increases productivity and provides trusted results for exploration, mining, and research.

Drill core (upper) and false color mineral distribution map generated using AMICS, showing the ease of locating gold in minimally prepared samples. M4 TORNADO AMICS allows gold search in larger samples without the need for extensive sample preparation.

Automate Measurements over Custom Measurement Areas

Heavy mineral separates prepared as loose grains in sample holders allowing rapid, automated mineral identification and characterization using M4 TORNADO AMICS (image courtesy of Portable Spectral Services, Perth, Australia)

M4 TORNADO AMICS helps users quickly automate repeated measurements across a wide range of sample holders and customized measurement areas, increasing sample throughput.

The AMICS software facilitates efficient data reduction through batch processing routines, enabling fast and systematic classification of large datasets.

Analyze Entire Samples and Particulate Samples

Users can comprehensively analyze entire samples to identify minerals or phases with precision.

M4 TORNADO AMICS enables detailed characterization of textures and associations, supports advanced statistical analyses, and presents results in clear, insightful formats such as maps, charts, and graphs—turning complex data into actionable information with ease.

Heavy mineral sand sample (prepared on carbon tape) and characterized using M4 TORNADO AMICS. The image shows the sample in visible light (left), as a 3-element overlay map (center), and a false-color mineral map highlighting the key phases present in the sample.

Classify Unknown and Difficult Phases with Spectrum Tree

Micro-XRF element map (left) and AMICS mineral distribution map (right) of a garnet-mica schist. Compositional zoning in the garnet grains is well captured by element mapping (yellow-orange cores are rich in manganese, zoning to a manganese poor rim, dark red). AMICS allows the proportions of different compositional zones in garnet to be quantified, and the textural context of important accessory minerals defined, without the need for a polished thin section.

The innovative Spectrum Tree, a key feature of M4 TORNADO AMICS, empowers users to classify unknown phases with unprecedented precision, including complex solid solutions, boundary phases, and mixed phases that are often difficult to distinguish using traditional methods.

Spectrum Tree simplifies the interpretation of large and complex datasets, enabling faster, more accurate phase identification and deeper insights into sample composition.

What is Your Analytical Challenge?

Technical details

<20 µm XRF spot A polycapillary X-ray focus for focussed beam XRF analysis Spectrum tree

Binning and classification of spectra by BSE and energy spectral criteria           

C to Am Quantification range on the M4 TORNADO PLUS. Cover most of the periodic table at ppm detection limits. Comprehensive mineral database

Database with over 1300 mineral phases and software to collect and manage custom phases   

Full Spectrum Whole List (FSWL) matching Spectral matching using the whole energy dispersive spectrum against the whole mineral list  Data collection automation

Automate data collection from the M4 TORNADO and M4 TORNADO PLUS, including quick-release sample holders and with custom measurement areas 

AMICS for SEM-EDS

The M4 TORNADO AMICS is part of Bruker’s innovative automated mineralogy ecosystem that provides mineral data from micro-XRF and SEM-EDS. AMICS for SEM-EDS brings together high-resolution BSE with high-throughput EDS for an automated mineralogy solution that automates the collection and analysis of data from the Scanning Electron Microscope. AMICS is the next generation characterization tool for the detailed and quantitative analysis of samples incorporating innovative imaging and analysis.

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