Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of V2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, and Optical Spectra of V3+ in Blue Zoisite, Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH)

Crystal field effect on EPR and optical absorption properties of natural green zoisite

In this study the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption (OA) of natural crystal of zoisite were investigated after γ ((60)Co) irradiation and high temperature annealing. EPR measurements show that the zoisite from Tefilo Otoni MG Brazil contain Cr(3+), Fe(3+) and Mn(2+) ions and occupy distorted Al(3+) octahedral and tetrahedral sites which are subjected to the action of a strong crystal field in axial direction. Absorption bands which in principle give rise to sets of EPR lines between 500 and 2500 G were found using the deconvolution method. The application of high doses of gamma ray and high temperature annealing has shown no significant effects on EPR and OA spectra. Spin-allowed, spin-forbidden and crystal field parameters were calculated for 3d(3) configuration and interpreted using the spin Hamiltonian formalism containing axial and rhombic terms in low symmetries.

Electron paramagnetic resonance, NIR studies on zoisite, clinozoisite and chrom-zoisite minerals

A zoisite group of mineral samples from different localities are used in the present study. An EPR study on powdered samples confirms the presence of Mn(II), Fe(III) and Cr(III) in the minerals. NIR studies confirm the presence of these ions in the minerals.

Thermoluminescence properties of natural zoisite mineral under γ-irradiations and high temperature annealing

Natural silicate mineral of zoisite, Ca(2)Al(3)(SiO(4))(Si(2)O(7))O(OH), has been investigated concerning γ-radiation, UV-radiation and high temperature annealing effects on thermoluminescence (TL). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirmed zoisite structure and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed besides Si, Al and Ca that are the main crystal components, other oxides of Fe, Mg, Cr, Na, K, Sr, Ti, Ba and Mn which are present in more than 0.05 wt%. The TL glow curve of natural sample contains (130-150), (340-370) and (435-475)°C peaks. Their shapes indicated a possibility that they are result of composition of two or more peaks strongly superposed, a fact confirmed by deconvolution method. Once pre-annealed at 600°C for 1h, the shape of the glow curves change and the zoisite acquires high sensitivity. Several peaks between 100 and 400°C appear superposed, and the high temperature peak around 435°C cannot be seen. The ultraviolet radiation, on the other hand, produces one TL peak around 130°C and the second one around 200°C and no more.