Spectroscopic studies on natural chloritoids

Room temperature and low temperature Mössbauer and optical absorption spectroscopic data on six natural chloritoids characterized by means of electron microprobe and X-ray powder diffraction techniques are presented. Two narrow quadrupole doublets with widths of 0.25–0.29 mm/s assigned to Fe²⁺ in a relatively large octahedral site and Fe³⁺ in a smaller octahedral site, are observed in the Mössbauer spectra. Polarized optical absorption spectra reveal three main absorption bands. A broad absorption band at 16,300 cm^?1, which is strongly polarized in E‖X and E‖Y and shows a linear increase in integral absorption with increasing [Fe²⁺] [Fe³⁺] concentration product, is assigned to a Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺→Fe³⁺+Fe²⁺ charge transfer transition. This band displays also a temperature dependence different from that of single ion d?d transitions. Two absorption bands at 10,900 cm^?1 and 8,000 cm^?1 are, on the basis of compositional dependence and energy, assigned to Fe²⁺ in the large M(1B) octahedra of the brucite-type layer in chloritoid. Combined spectroscopic evidence and structural and chemical considerations support a distribution scheme for ferrous and ferric iron which orders the Fe²⁺ ions in the M(1B) octahedra and the Fe³⁺ ions in the small M(1A) octahedral sites. Both types of octahedra are found in the brucite type layer of chloritoid.     

Iron in hibonite: a spectroscopic study

A combined polarized optical absorption and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study of inhomogeneous, Fe and Ti-bearing terrestrial hibonite (Madagascar) has been carried out. Mössbauer data were also obtained on synthetic material prepared under different fo₂ inconditions. A strong band at 5400 cm^-1 in the near-infrared spectra is attributed to spin-allowed d-d transitions of Fe²⁺ occupying tetrahedral sites within the spinel blocks of the hibonite crystal structure. There is agreement with the Mössbauer results, showing that ferrous iron orders onto a single, low-coordinated crystallographic site. Ferric iron is distributed over several positions, but shows strongest preference for the large bipyramidal site located outside the spinel blocks. The colour and pleochroism of hibonite in thin section is related to a prominent UV absorption edge, and several broad absorption bands in the visible spectrum ascribed to charge-transfer transitions involving Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺.     

Spectroscopic studies of synthetic and natural ringwoodite, γ-(Mg,Fe)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Synthetic ringwoodite γ-(Mg_1?x Fe _x )₂SiO₄ of 0.4 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 compositions and variously colored micro-grains of natural ringwoodite in shock metamorphism veins of thin sections of two S6-type chondrites were studied by means of microprobe analysis, TEM and optical absorption spectroscopy. Three synthetic samples were studied in addition with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Mössbauer spectra consist of two doublets caused by ^VIFe²⁺ and ^VIFe³⁺, with IS and QS parameters close to those established elsewhere (e.g., O’Neill et al. in Am Mineral 78:456–460, 1993). The Fe³⁺/Fe_total ratio evaluated by curve resolution of the spectra, ranges from 0.04 to 0.1. Optical absorption spectra of all synthetic samples studied are qualitatively very similar as they are directly related to the iron content. They differ mostly in the intensity of the observed absorption features. The spectra consist of a very strong high-energy absorption edge and a series of absorption bands of different width and intensity. The three strongest and broadest absorptions of them are attributed to splitting of electronic spin-allowed ⁵ T _2g → ⁵ E _g transitions of ^VIFe²⁺ and intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) transition between ferrous and ferric ions in adjacent octahedral sites of the ringwoodite structure. The spin-allowed bands at ca. 8,000 and 11,500 cm^?1 weakly depend on temperature, whilst the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ IVCT band at ~16,400 cm^?1 displays very strong temperature dependence: i.e., with increasing temperature it decreases and practically disappears at about 497 K, a behavior typical for bands of this type. With increasing pressure the absorption edge shifts to lower energies while the spin-allowed bands shift to higher energy and strongly decreases in intensity. The IVCT band also strongly weakens and vanishes at about 9 GPa. We assigned this effect to pressure-induced reduction of Fe³⁺ in ringwoodite. By analogy with synthetic samples three broad bands in spectra of natural (meteoritic) blue ringwoodite are assigned to electronic spin-allowed transitions of ^VIFe²⁺ (the bands at ~8,600 and ~12,700 cm^?1) and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ IVCT transition (~18,100 cm^?1), respectively. Spectra of colorless ringwoodite of the same composition consist of a single broad band at ca. 12,000 cm^?1. It is assumed that such ringwoodite grains are inverse (Fe, Mg)₂SiO₄-spinels and that the single band is caused by the split spin-allowed ⁵ E → ⁵ T ₂ transition of ^IVFe²⁺. Ringwoodite of intermediate color variations between dark-blue and colorless are assumed to be partly inversed ringwoodite. No glassy material between the grain boundaries in the natural colored ringwoodite aggregates was found in our samples and disprove the cause of the coloration to be due to light scattering effect (Lingemann and Stöffler in Lunar Planet Sci 29(1308), 1998).     

The MgCr2O4–MgFe2O4 solid solution series: effects of octahedrally coordinated Fe3+ on T–O bond lengths

The influence on the spinel structure of Fe³⁺ → Cr substitution was studied in flux-grown synthetic single crystals of the magnesiochromite–magnesioferrite (MgCr₂O₄–MgFe₂O₄) solid solution series. Samples were analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analyses, optical absorption and Mössbauer spectroscopy. With the exception of iron-poor samples (3–12 mol-% MgFe₂O₄), optical absorption and Mössbauer spectra show that iron occurs almost exclusively as trivalent Fe in the present samples. A very intense and broad absorption band at ca 7,800 cm^?1 dominates the optical absorption spectra of samples with higher Fe-contents. The appearance of this band is related to a distinct structural disorder of Fe³⁺ and a development of magnetic ordering as demonstrated by Mössbauer spectra. Profound composition-related changes are observed in the Mössbauer spectra, which are magnetically unsplit in the range 2–41 mol-% magnesioferrite, but become magnetically split in the range 59–100 mol-% magnesioferrite. Structural parameters a ₀ and M–O increase with magnesioferrite content and inversion degree, while u and T–O decrease. Our study confirms the previously reported (Lavina et al. 2002) influence of Fe³⁺ at the M site on T–O bond lengths in the spinel structure.     

Thermally activated electron delocalization in deerite

The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra of deerites of different chemical composition, taken at several temperatures, show that Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ occupy all the six-coordinated lattice sites with a preference of Fe³⁺ probably for the M(1) to M(3) positions, and a preference of Fe²⁺ probably for the M(4) to M(6) and the M(7) to M(9) sites. The room and high temperature spectra reveal absorption patterns due to thermally activated Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ electron delocalization. The extent of electron delocalization is dependent on the chemical composition, e.g., the amount of ions (Mg, Mn, Al) substituting for Fe.     

Crystallographic,Mössbauer and electrokinetic study of synthetic lipscombite

The transformation of vivianite and the direct synthesis starting from pure chemicals lead to the formation of lipscombite {Fe _x ²⁺ Fe _3?x ³⁺ [(OH)_3?x/(PO₄)₂]} with varying Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ molar ratios. The influence of this ratio on the Mössbauer spectra, solubility, electrokinetic potential and infrared spectra has been studied. By means of Mössbauer spectroscopy, the distribution of the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions between the octahedral sites I and II has been investigated. The unit cell dimensions have been determined from Guinier-Hägg X-ray diffraction patterns. The crystal system is tetragonal for synthetic lipscombite with a=5.3020±0.0005 Å and c=12.8800±0.0005 Å. Lipscombite has been found to show a negative and time-dependent zeta-potential which, moreover, is influenced by the pH of the suspension and the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ molar ratio. An explanation of the time-dependence of the zeta-potential on variations of solubility is proposed. Infrared absorption spectrum only is characterized by two absorption bands: v _OH(3,500 cm^?1) and v _P?O(1,100-960 cm^?1). The density at 25° C is determined in toluene as 3.36±0.01 g·cm^?3.     

Mössbauer and ELNES spectroscopy of (Mg,Fe)(Si,Al)O3 perovskite: a highly oxidised component of the lower mantle

(Mg,Fe)(Si,Al)O₃ perovskite samples with varying Fe and Al concentration were synthesised at high pressure and temperature at varying conditions of oxygen fugacity using a multianvil press, and were characterised using ex?situ X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, Mössbauer spectroscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy. The Fe³⁺/ΣFe ratio was determined from Mössbauer spectra recorded at 293 and 80?K, and shows a nearly linear dependence of Fe³⁺/ΣFe with Al composition of (Mg,Fe)(Si,Al)O₃ perovskite. The Fe³⁺/ΣFe values were obtained for selected samples of (Mg,Fe)(Si,Al)O₃ perovskite using electron energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) spectroscopy, and are in excellent agreement with Mössbauer data, demonstrating that Fe³⁺/ΣFe can be determined with a spatial resolution on the order of nm. Oxygen concentrations were determined by combining bulk chemical data with Fe³⁺/ΣFe data determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy, and show a significant concentration of oxygen vacancies in (Mg,Fe)(Si,Al)O₃ perovskite.     

Mössbauer studies of synthetic and natural micas on the polylithionite-siderophyllite join

Mössbauer studies of micas on the polylithionite-side-rophyllite join show the existence of a relation between the quadrupole splitting (ΔE _Q) values of Fe²⁺ high spin doublets and both cationic and anionic composition of micas. This linear relation is positive as Li₂O content increases and negative as F content increases. In the lithium iron micas, the inner ferrous quadrupole doublet is assigned to the cis-site M(2), while the outer doublet is assigned to the trans-site M(1). A random distribution of Fe²⁺ is observed in fluorine-rich compositions, while slight enrichment of the M(1) site is noticed in hydroxyl compositions, perhaps due to a more sensitive oxidation in situ in M(2) than M(1) sites. The Mössbauer spectrum of siderophyllite K₂(Fe ₄ ²⁺ Al₂)(Si₄Al₄)O₂₀(OH)₄ shows the presence of only one ferrous doublet, which is assigned to M(2) sites. Hence from Mössbauer data we must consider a clintonite (“xanthophyllite”) structure for this mica. The ordered octahedral layer has two distorted ferrous cis-sites and one, more symmetrical, aluminum trans-site.     

Crystal field spectra and jahn teller effect of Mn3+ in clinopyroxene and clinoamphiboles from India

Blanfordite (I), winchite (II), and juddite (III), all showing vivid colors and pleochroism, from highly oxidized parageneses of Indian gondites were studied by microprobe, Mössbauer, and microscope-spectrophotometric techniques and by X-ray structure refinements. The compositions of the Mn-bearing minerals were close to diopsideacmite (I) and magnesio-arfvedsonite to magnesio-riebeckite (II and III). Transition metal ions are located inM(1)-octahedra (I) or predominantlyM(2)-octahedra (II, III). Mössbauer spectra of⁵⁷Fe(IS, ΔE _Q) are typical of octahedral Fe³⁺ only. Polarized absorption spectra in the UV/VIS/NIR ranges explain color and pleochroism of the minerals. The position of the UV-“edge” is correlated with Fe³⁺-contents of the minerals, except for judditeE ∥Z, where the edge shows an unusual low energy position. This is most likely due to Mie-scattering of submicroscopic inclusions of braunite with nearly uniform dimensions. In the VIS range, the spectra are dominated by a complex band system between 15,000 and 20,000 cm^?1. Energies and ?-values of component bands are compatible with those of Mn³⁺ d-d transitions in other Mn³⁺-bearing silicates. The polarization behavior of component bands can best be explained by aC ₂(C2″) symmetry of the crystal field. The Jahn-Teller splitting (<9,000 cm^?1) of the⁵ E _g ground state of Mn³⁺ inO _h crystal fields is appreciably smaller than in other Mn³⁺-silicates. Crystal field parameters 10Dq, (I) 13,650, (II) ca. 11,640, and (III) 11,925 cm^?1, are near to that in piemontite. The crystal field stabilization energy of Mn³⁺, (I) 146, (II) ca. 140, (III) 142 \({{{\text{kJ}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{kJ}}} {\text{g}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\text{g}}}{\text{ - atom}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{3 + }}} } \) , is appreciably smaller than that found in other Mn³⁺-silicates (piemontites and manganian andalusites, viridines and kanonaite).     

Optical absorption and mössbauer spectra of purple and green yoderite,a kyanite-related mineral

Mössbauer and polarized optical absorption spectra of the kyanite-related mineral yoderite were recorded. Mössbauer spectra of the purple (PY) and green yoderite (GY) from Mautia Hill, Tanzania, show that the bulk of the iron is Fe³⁺ in both varieties, with Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺) ratios near 0.05. Combining this result with new microprobe data for PY and with literature data for GY gives the crystallochemical formulae: $$\begin{gathered} ({\text{Mg}}_{{\text{1}}{\text{.95}}} {\text{Fe}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.02}}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{Mn}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.01}}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{Fe}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.34}}}^{{\text{3 + }}} {\text{Mn}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.07}}}^{{\text{3 + }}} {\text{Ti}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.01}}} {\text{Al}}_{{\text{3}}{\text{.57}}} )_{5.97}^{[5,6]} \hfill \\ {\text{Al}}_{{\text{2}}{\text{.00}}}^{{\text{[5]}}} [({\text{Si}}_{{\text{3}}{\text{.98}}} {\text{P}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.03}}} ){\text{O}}_{{\text{18}}{\text{.02}}} ({\text{OH)}}_{{\text{1}}{\text{.98}}} ] \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ and PY and $$\begin{gathered} ({\text{Mg}}_{{\text{1}}{\text{.98}}} {\text{Fe}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.02}}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{Mn}}_{{\text{< 0}}{\text{.001}}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{Fe}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.45}}}^{{\text{3 + }}} {\text{Ti}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.01}}} {\text{Al}}_{{\text{3}}{\text{.56}}} )_{6.02}^{[5,6]} \hfill \\ {\text{Al}}_{{\text{2}}{\text{.00}}}^{{\text{[5]}}} [({\text{Si}}_{{\text{3}}{\text{.91}}} {\text{O}}_{{\text{17}}{\text{.73}}} {\text{(OH)}}_{{\text{2}}{\text{.27}}} ] \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ for GY. The Mössbauer spectra at room temperature contain one main doublet with isomer shifts and quadrupole splittings of 0.36 (PY), 0.38 (GY) and 1.00 (PY), 0.92 (GY) mm s^?1, respectively. These values correspond to Fe³⁺ in six or five-fold coordination. The doublet components have anomalously large half widths indicating either accomodation of Fe³⁺ in more than one position (e.g., octahedraA1 and five coordinatedA2) or the yet unresolved superstructure. Besides strong absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) starting from about 25,000 cm^?1, the polarized optical absorption spectra are dominated by strong bands around 16,500 and 21,000 cm^?1 (PY) and a medium strong band at around 13,800 cm^?1 (GY). Position and polarization of these bands, in combination with the UV absorption, explain the colour and pleochroism of the two varieties. The bands in question are assigned to homonuclear metal-to-metal charge transfer transitions: Mn²⁺(A1) Mn³⁺(A1′) ? Mn³⁺(A1) Mn²⁺(A1′) and Mn²⁺(A1) Mn³⁺(A2 ? Mn³⁺(A1) Mn²⁺(A2) in PY and Fe²⁺(A1) Fe³⁺(A1′) ? Fe³⁺(A1) Fe²⁺(A1′) in GY. The evidence for homonuclear Mn²⁺ Mn³⁺ charge transfer (CTF) is not quite clear and needs further study. Heteronuclear FeTi CTF does not contribute to the spectra. In PY, additional weak bands were resolved at energies around 17,700, 18,700, 21,000, and 21,900 cm^?1 and assigned to Mn³⁺ in two positions. Weak bands around 10,000 cm^?1 in both varieties are assigned to Fe²⁺ spin-alloweddd-transitions. Very weak and sharp bands, around 15,400, 16,400, 21,300, 22,100, 23,800, and 25,000 cm^?1 are identified in GY and assigned to Fe³⁺ spin-forbiddendd-transitions.     

Polarized electronic absorption spectra of synthetic (Mg,Fe)-orthopyroxenes,ferrosilite and Fe3+-bearing ferrosilite

The assignment of spin-allowed Fe²⁺-bands in orthopyroxene electronic absorption spectra is revised by studying synthetic bronzite (Mg_0.8 Fe_0.2)₂Si₂O₆, hypersthene (Mg_0.5 Fe_0.5)₂Si₂O₆ and ferrosilite (Fe₂Si₂O₆). Reheating of bronzite and hypersthene single crystals causes a redistribution of the Fe²⁺-ions over the M1 and M2 octahedra, which was determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy and correlated to the intensity change of the spin-allowed Fe²⁺ d-d bands in the polarized absorption spectra. The 11000 cm^-1 band is caused by Fe²⁺ in M1 (⁵B_2g→⁵A_1g) and Fe²⁺ in M2 (⁵A₁→⁵A₁), the 8500 cm^-1 band by Fe²⁺ in M1 (⁵B_2g→⁵B_1g) and the 5000 cm^-1 band by Fe²⁺ in M2 octahedra (⁵A₁→⁵B₁). The Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ charge transfer band is identified at 12500cm^-1 in the spectra of synthetic Fe³⁺ -Al bearing ferrosilite. This band shows a strong γ-polarization and therefore is caused by Fe²⁺ -Fe³⁺-ions in edge-sharing octahedra.     

Optical spectroscopy study of natural Fe, Ti-bearing calcic amphiboles

Over thirty samples of natural Ti-bearing amphiboles with Ti- and Fe-contents ranging from 0.111 to 0.729 atom per formula unit (a.p.f.u.) and from 0.479 to 2.045 a.p.f.u., respectively, were studied by means of optical absorption spectroscopy and microprobe analysis. Thirteen samples were also studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. A strong pleochroic absorption edge, causing the dark brown colours of Ti-bearing amphiboles, is attributed to ligand-metal and metal-metal charge transfer transitions involving both iron and titanium ions (O^2?→ Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, O^2?→ Ti⁴⁺ and Fe²⁺ + Ti⁴⁺→ Fe³⁺ + Ti³⁺). A broad intense Y-polarized band ～22?000?cm^?1 (ν_1/2?≈?3700?cm^?1) in spectra of two low iron amphiboles with a relatively low Fe³⁺/Fe_total ratio, both from eclogite-like rocks in kimberlite xenoliths, was attributed to electronic Fe²⁺(M3) + Ti⁴⁺(M2)→Fe³⁺(M3)+Ti³⁺(M2) IVCT transitions. The IVCT bands of other possible ion pairs, involving Ti⁴⁺ and Fe²⁺ in M2 and M1, M4 sites, respectively, are presumed to be at higher energies, being obscured by the absorption edge.     

Influence of cation distribution on the optical absorption spectra of Fe3+-bearing spinel s.s.–hercynite crystals: evidence for electron transitions in VIFe2+–VIFe3+ clusters

Flux-grown Fe³⁺-bearing spinel s.s.–hercynite solid-solution crystals, (Mg _1-y Fe²⁺ _y )Al₂O₄ (0 < y≤ 1), have been investigated by means of electron microprobe technique and Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy. Obtained results show that different electronic processes cause intense optical absorption bands in the near-infrared spectral region. In addition to an electronic d–d transition in single-ion ^IVFe²⁺, observed at 5200 cm^?1, intense and broad bands at 9500 and 14 500 cm^?1 are assigned to exchange-coupled pair (ECP) and intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) transitions in ^VI Fe ^{2+ VI} Fe³⁺clusters, respectively. The net linear extinction coefficients of these bands (α) were calibrated against Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ concentrations and site distributions previously defined by combined microchemical, Mössbauer, and XRD structural refinement data. The following expressions were obtained: where α is measured in cm^?1 and concentrations are expressed in mol?l^?1. The present results show that optical absorption spectroscopy may be used as a probe to obtain high spatial resolution (?～ 10 μm) information on Fe²⁺ ordering as well as on Fe³⁺ concentrations in minerals belonging to the spinel group.     

Distribution of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and next-nearest neighbour effects in natural chromites: comparison between results of QSD and Lorentzian doublet analysis

The Mössbauer spectra of one chromite at 298 K and one chromite at 298, 200, 170, 140 and 90 K have been analyzed in this study. A Voigt-based quadrupole splitting distribution (QSD) method was used to analyze the spectra. The tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ and the octahedral site Fe³⁺ quadrupole splitting distributions (QSDs) were obtained from the Mössbauer spectra of chromites, and the multiple tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ Gaussian QSD components and the large widths σ _Δ of the Gaussian QSD components of the tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ QSDs for chromites were attributed to next-nearest neighbor effects. In addition, temperature dependences of the isomer shift and the quadrupole splitting were presented and discussed. Comparisons between the Mössbauer parameters for thickness-corrected folded spectra and raw-folded spectra of chromites were made, and the results show that the two sets of the Mössbauer parameters and ratios of ferric to total iron as well as χ² are very close to each other. This is because of the small absorber thickness of chromites in this study. Comparisons between the Mössbauer parameters of chromites obtained using the Voigt-based QSD method and a Lorentzian doublet method were also made. The results show that there are some differences between the two sets of the Mössbauer parameters and ratios of ferric to total iron, but not significant. However, much larger χ² were obtained when the Lorentzian doublet method was used to fit the spectra of chromites. This indicates that the Voigt-based QSD method is more adequate to analyze the Mössbauer spectra of chromites from the point of view of statistics.     

Determination of [Fe2+]/[Fe3+]-ratios in arfvedsonite by Mössbauer spectroscopy

The Mössbauer absorption spectra of arfvedsonite are composed of three quadrupole doublets which are ascribed to Fe²⁺ in M₁ and M₂ sites and to Fe³⁺ in M₂ sites. The relative intensities of the resonances are a measure of the distribution of iron at the different sites, but it is necessary to correct for a difference between the recoil-free fractions. At room temperature [Fe²⁺] seems detected with an efficiency of only about 85% of that of [Fe³⁺]. Results of [Fe²⁺]/[Fe³⁺] determinations by Mössbauer spectroscopy and by wet chemical analysis of a series of arfvedsonite samples, separated from various rocks from the Ilimaussaq intrusion, south Greenland, are compared and agree reasonably well.     

Spectroscopic active IVFe3+–VIFe3+ clusters in spinel–magnesioferrite solid solution crystals: a potential monitor for ordering in oxide spinels

Optical absorption spectra (OAS) of synthetic single crystals of the solid solution spinel sensu stricto (s.s.)–magnesioferrite, Mg(Fe³⁺Al_1???y)₂O₄ (0?y?≤ 0.3), have been measured between 12 500 and 28 500?cm^?1. Chemical composition and Fe³⁺ site distribution have been measured by electron microprobe and Mössbauer spectroscopy, respectively. Ferric iron is ordered to the tetrahedral site for samples with small magnesioferrite component, and this ordering is shown to increase with magnesioferrite component. The optical absorption spectra show a strong increase in band intensities with Fe³⁺→Al substitution. Prominent and relatively sharp absorption bands are observed at 25 300 and 21 300?cm^?1, while less intense bands occur at 22 350, 18 900, 17 900 and 15 100?cm^?1. On the basis of band energies, band intensities and the compositional effect on band intensity, as well as structural considerations, we assign the observed bands to electronic transitions in ^IVFe³⁺–^VIFe³⁺clusters. A linear relationship (R ²= 0.99) between the α_net value of the absorption band at 21 300?cm^?1 and [^IVFe³⁺]?·?[^VIFe³⁺] concentration product has been defined: α_net=2.2?+?15.8 [^IVFe³⁺]?·?[^VIFe³⁺]. Some of the samples have been heat-treated between 700 and 1000?°C to investigate the relation between Fe³⁺ ordering and absorption spectra. Increase of cation disorder with temperature is observed, which corresponds to a 4% reduction in the number of active clusters. Due to the high spatial resolution (??～?10?μm), the OAS technique may be used as a microprobe for determination of Fe³⁺ concentration or site partitioning. Potential applications of the technique include analysis of small crystals and of samples showing zonation with respect to total Fe³⁺ and/or ordering.     

Octahedral cation ordering in Mg, Fe2+-olivine: an optical absorption spectroscopic study

Polarized optical absorption spectra of natural olivine, Fa₁₀Fo₉₀, were measured before and after annealing/quenching experiments performed at 650, 800, 1,000 and 1,200°C under controlled oxygen fugacity. It was found that the annealing induces weak but definite changes in the olivine spectra. The intensity of the spin-allowed Z > X-polarized band at 9,560 cm^?1 and shoulder at ～8,300 cm^?1 attributed to Fe²⁺(M2), continuously decreases with annealing temperature, whereas a weaker band at ～11,600 cm^?1 assigned to electronic spin-allowed transitions of Fe²⁺(M1), increases. This evidently shows that annealing treatments cause a redistribution of Fe²⁺ from M2 to M1. The fractionation increases with increasing temperature. This observation is in good correspondence with many diffraction structural studies of natural and synthetic olivines, as well as with recent Raman and Mössbauer investigations by Kolesov and Geiger (Mitt Österr Mineral Ges 149:48, 2004) and Morozov et al. (Eur J Mineral 17:495–500, 2005) evidencing a weak tendency of Fe to order into the M1 site with increasing temperature. However, this deduction is incompatible with the results of the in situ neutron power diffraction study of synthetic FeMgSiO₄ by Redfern et al. (Phys Chem Minerals 27:630–637, 2000). Polarization properties of the UV absorption edge, attributed to ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transitions in Fe³⁺, changes from Y > X ? Z in natural samples to a weak Y ≥ X ≥ Z-pleochroism in annealed ones. This may be due to redistribution of a small content of Fe³⁺ among M1 and M2 structural sites.     

A Mössbauer and X-ray diffraction study of annites synthesized at different oxygen fugacities and crystal chemical implications

A refined set of Mössbauer parameters (isomer shifts, quadrupole splittings, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratios) and lattice parameters were obtained from annites synthesized hydrothermally at pressures between 3 and 5 kbars, temperatures ranging from 250 to 780° C and oxygen fugacities controlled by solid state buffers (NNO, QMF, IM, IQF). Mössbauer spectra showed Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ on both the M1 and the M2 site. A linear relationship between Fe³⁺ content and oxygen fugacity was observed. Towards low Fe³⁺ values this linear relationship ends at ≈10% of total iron showing that the Fe³⁺ content cannot be reduced further even if more reducing conditions are used. This indicates that in annite at least 10% Fe²⁺ are substituted by Fe³⁺ in order to match the larger octahedral layer to the smaller tetrahedral layer. IR spectra indicate that formation of octahedral vacancies plays an important role for charge balance through the substitution 3 Fe²⁺ → 2 Fe³⁺ + ?_(oct).     

Mössbauer spectra of Fe x O (x>0.95)

The Mössbauer spectra of five samples of Fe _x O with compositions in the range 1.00>x>0.95 have been recorded at 298 K and 4.2 K. The spectrum of Fe _x O at 298 K consists of an asymmetric doublet which was fitted to one Fe²⁺ singlet, two Fe²⁺ doublets and 1 Fe³⁺ singlet. The Mössbauer parameters vary consistently with the increasing density of defects as x decreases. The Mössbauer spectrum of Fe _x O at 4.2 K consists of a large number of unresolved lines. The data were fitted to a series of singlets to enable the rough calculation of quantities relating to the mean Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ environments. The results of the fits to the 298 K spectra are briefly discussed in terms of a physical model for the defect structure of Fe _x O.     

Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopic studies of Belgian chloritoids

Three chloritoid samples from the Stavelot massif (Belgium) and one sample from the Serpont massif (Belgium) have been characterized by chemical analyses and differential X-ray diffraction. A classification of chloritoid is proposed. Mössbauer spectra at temperatures between 78 and 360 K and in external magnetic fields were obtained for a triclinic and for a monoclinic specimen. The spectra show a superposition of a weak Fe³⁺ doublet (less than 10%) and an intense Fe²⁺ doublet. It is found that a decomposition of the ferrous absorption into two distinct quadrupole doublets leads to smaller deviations between experimental and calculated line shapes, especially at low temperatures. This suggests that Fe²⁺ is present in both cis and trans O₂(OH)₄ octahedral positions in the trioctahedral layer. However, the structural data derived from the temperature dependence of isomer shifts and quadrupole splittings, are found to be inconsistent with known crystallographic data. It is therefore concluded that Fe²⁺ is present in only one type of lattice site and that the numerically imposed decomposition into two ferrous doublets is merely an artifact due to thickness saturation effects and to the distributive character of the hyperfine parameters. The negative sign of the electric field gradient further confirms the assignment of the Fe²⁺ doublet to a cis octahedral configuration. Finally, only minor differences between the Mössbauer results for triclinic and monoclinic chloritoid are observed. The infrared absorption spectra of the four samples are almost identical except in the region around 600 cm^?1 at which the monoclinic phase exhibits two absorption bands instead of one band for the triclinic samples. All absorption bands can be well assigned to the different vibrations. Inter-layer hydrogen bonding is evidenced by the occurrence of two v _O-H absorption bands. Furthermore, the specific nature of the infrared spectra enables a fast identification of chloritoid samples.