Abstract
Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra of tridymite and cristobalite have broad peaks around 430 and 400 nm, respectively, both of which can be assigned to the [AlO4/M+]0 defect. The CL intensities of these spectral peaks in the blue region decrease with prolonged exposure to electron irradiation, similar to the short-lived luminescence observed in quartz, although quartz shows a lower decrease in CL intensity compared to these minerals. Cristobalite has a higher CL intensity reduction rate during irradiation than does tridymite. Irradiation of these minerals at low temperatures results in a more rapid decay of CL emission, whereas that of quartz shows no apparent change in the rate of CL emission at similar temperatures. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy of the electron irradiated surface of these minerals reveals the amorphization caused by the interaction of the electron beam with the surface layer to a depth of several micrometers. This suggests that such structural destruction diminishes the activity of CL emission centers related to the [AlO4/M+]0 defects by migration of monovalent cations associated with exchanged Al in the tetrahedral sites. Both samples present a considerable reduction of their CL intensities at higher temperature, suggesting a temperature quenching phenomenon. The activation energy in the quenching process was evaluated by a least-squares fitting of the Arrhenius plots, assuming the Mott-Seitz model. The result implies that the energy of non-radiative transition in this process might be transferred to lattice vibrations as phonons in two different manners. This might be related to different irradiation responses of the CL with a change in sample temperature.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1018-1028 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | American Mineralogist |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 Jul |
Keywords
- Cathodoluminescence
- Cristobalite
- Electron irradiation
- Raman spectroscopy
- Temperature quenching
- Tridymite
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- Geochemistry and Petrology