Single crystal Raman spectrum of uvarovite, Ca3Cr2Si3O12

Single-crystal Raman spectra of synthetic end-member uvarovite (Ca₃Cr₂Si₃O₁₂) and of a binary solution (59% uvarovite, 41% andradite) have been measured using single crystal techniques. For each of these garnets, 22 and 21 of the 25 Raman modes were located, respectively. The spectra for uvarovite garnets closely resemble those of the other calcic garnets, grossular, and andradite. The modes for uvarovites do not fit into the same trends as established by the other five anhydrous end-member garnets: the high energy “internal” Si–O modes do not depend on lattice constant in uvarovite. They exceed frequencies for both andradite and grossular. This is likely due to the large crystal field stabilization energy of trivalent chromium. The low energy and midrange modes are at similar frequencies to the other calcic garnets.