ORIGIN, SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE CATHODOLUMINESCENCE (CL) OF QUARTZ - A REVIEW

Abstract

Investigations of natural and synthetic quartz specimens by cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy and spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and trace-element analysis showed that various luminescence colours and emission bands can be ascribed to different intrinsic and extrinsic defects. The perceived visible luminescence colours in quartz depend on the relative intensities of the dominant emission bands between 380 and 700 nm. Some of the CL emissions of quartz from the UV to the yellow spectral region (175 nm, 290 nm, 340 nm, 420 nm, 450 nm, 580 nm) can be related to intrinsic lattice defects. Extrinsic defects such as the alkali (or hydrogen)-compensated [AlO4/M+] centre have been suggested as being responsible for the transient emission band at 380-390 nm and the short-lived blue-green CL centered around 500 nm. CL emissions between 620 and 650 nm in the red spectral region are attributed to the nonbridging oxygen hole centre (NBOHC) with several precursors. The weak but highly variable CL colours and emission spectra of quartz can be related to genetic conditions of quartz formation. Hence, both luminescence microscopy and spectroscopy can be used widely in various applications in geosciences and techniques. One of the most important fields of application of quartz CL is the ability to reveal internal structures, growth zoning and lattice defects in quartz crystals not discernible by means of other analytical techniques. Other fields of investigations are the modal analysis of rocks, the provenance evaluation of clastic sediments, diagenetic studies, the reconstruction of alteration processes and fluid flow, the detection of radiation damage or investigations of ultra-pure quartz and silica glass in technical applications.