Cathodoluminescence, Laser Ablasion Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Electron Probe Microanalysis and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Analyses of Natural Sphalerite

摘要

Natural sphalerite associated with copper, silver, lead-zinc, tin and tungsten deposits from various world-famous mineral deposits have been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL), laser ablasion inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to determine the relationship between trace element type and content and the CL properties of sphalerite. In general, sphalerite produces a spectrum of CL colour under electron bombardment that includes deep blue, turquoise, lime green, yellow-orange, orange-red and dull dark red depending on the type and concentration of trace quantities of activator ions. Sphalerite from most deposits shows a bright yellow-orange CL colour with lambda_(max) centred at 585 nm due to Mn~(2+) ion, and the intensity of CL is strongly dependent primarily on Fe~(2+) concentration.