Photoluminescence of baratovite and katayamalite

Abstract

The photoluminescence (PL) and optical excitation spectra of baratovite in aegirine syenite from Dara-i-Pioz, Tien Shan Mts., Tajikistan and katayamalite in aegirine syenite from Iwagi Islet, Ehime, Japan were obtained at 300 and 80 K. Under short wave (253.7 nm) ultraviolet light, baratovite and katayamalite exhibited bright blue-white luminescence. The PL spectrum of baratovite at 300 K consisted of a wide band with a peak at approximately 406 nm and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 6.32k cm⁻¹. The excitation spectrum of the blue-white luminescence from baratovite at 300 K consisted of a prominent band with a peak at approximately 250 nm. The PL and excitation spectra of katayamalite were similar to those of baratovite. The luminescence from these minerals was attributed to the intrinsic luminescence from the TiO₆ center.