A synchrotron radiation based x-ray microprobe allows the analysis of samples with higher spatial resolution and better elemental sensitivity than is possible with laboratory x-ray sources. In addition, the development of high efficiency x-ray mirrors using multilqyer coated optical mirrors now permits the achievement of spot sizes of less than 100μm2 Since samples to be studied in an x-ray microprobe do not have to be placed in a vacuum, almost any sample can be conveniently analyzed. Examples of samples that can be studied are fluid inclusions in quartz rocks, blue-green algae filaments, "fox" marks on old documents and ink on old documents.