A model for the irradiative coloration of smoky feldspar and the inhibiting influence of water

Radiation-induced smoky color and associatedelectron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals develop only in potassium feldspar (KAlSi₃O₈) free of structurally bound molecular water. Fluid inclusion water does not influence coloration. The integrated intensity of each of the four bands (11,600, 16,200, 19,100, and 27,200 cm^?1) in the optical absorption spectra are linearly correlated with the doubly-integrated intensity of a broad, asymmetric first derivative atg _eff=2.027 in EPR spectra. In microcline, the EPR pattern is resolved into an asymmetric six-line pattern atg _eff=2.024 and a single derivative atg _eff=2.009 which, based on analogy to alkali-silicate glass, are due respectively to SiO₄/K⁺]²⁺ and a hole shared between two nonbonding oxygens on Si. We propose that structural water inhibits formation of smoky centers in feldspar by releasing atomic hydrogen during irradiation which destroys centers while diffusing towards a stable site.