EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF FAHLORE MINERALS

Abstract

We studied a series of cadmium tetrahedrites, relatively high in silver, from the Ushkatyn-III barite-lead-zinc deposit in the Atasu district in central Kazakhstan. Their chemical composition was determined with the electron microprobe at 20 kV and 10 nA. Reflection spectra were measured with the Opton 03 photometer microscope. The reflection spectra of cadmium tetrahedrite are similar to those of mercury tetrahedrite and zinc tetrahedrite. The effect of cadmium on the optical properties of fahlore minerals, though similar to that of mercury, is weaker.