A new fast type of Mossbauer spectrometer for the rapid determination of iron-bearing minerals used in the paint industry

A new miniaturised Mossbauer spectrometer has been developed for laboratory and industrial application. Equipped with a YAlO(3):Ce crystal fast scintillation detector unit and mini transducer for the energy modulation of gamma rays, the unique mechanical design enhances protection from radiation and prevents disturbance by mechanical vibrations. It can be used with various types of cryostat and furnace. Supported by the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and by the new algorithm for the quantification of iron-components, the spectrometer can be used as a single-purpose instrument for the rapid determination of the Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ratio in ilmenite and Morin transition temperature of hematite. It can also be used to monitor the manufacturing processes for titanium white and copperas red.