Application of Cathodoluminescence to the Study of Feldspars: Imaging and Spectrometry

Cathodoluminescence (CL) studies were carried out on polished thin sections of different feldspar samples (from migmatites, granites, aplite-pegmatites and granitic aggregates) using a hot cathode CL equipment HC3-LM coupled to an optical microscope and to a spectrometer (SpectraPro 2300i and a CCD Pixis 400B detector and the software Winspec32) from the Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto. The system was operated at 14kV and a filament current of 0.18 mA. The samples were coated with a thin gold film using a Cressington 108 Auto device. Luminescence images were acquired during the CL analysis with an adapted digital video-camera (KAPPA PS 40C-285 (DX) with dual stage Peltier cooling) and an acquisition time between 351ms and 3,52s. The CL study, including imaging and spectrometry, proved to be an important tool to complement the feldspar petrography as it contributes to the identification of features not observed under optical microscope. The application of the Cathodoluminescence to feldspar allows distinguishing between potassic feldspar and plagioclase, differentiating generations of feldspar and displaying internal zoning and growth areas, among other. The spectrometry complements the CL imaging. It allows obtaining a qualitative level of emission intensity, which permits the interpretation of the nature of this luminescence in each feldspar. Bands shown in the spectra are related to the existing activator elements. In the present study, it was found an association of each feldspar to different spectra and respective colour. The plagioclases exhibit yellow or green luminescence. The activator element is Mn2+, showing a broad emission band between 550 - 570 nm specially detected on this type of feldspars, due to the replacement of K+ for Mn2+. The potassium feldspars have more or less intense blue colour associated with various activators elements: the activator element is Cu2+ showing a broad emission band between 420 +/- 5 nm. This emission band can be detected either in potassium feldspar or in plagioclases, but when associated with the blue colour, it indicates that it is a potassium feldspar. Spectra with a wavelength of 460 +/- 10 nm, associated to the element activator/synthesizer Ti3+, which is initially deposited as Ti4+, replacing Al, as temperature rise. The emission band with a wavelength of 860 nm correspond to the activator element Pb+, and occurs specially in potassium feldspar like adularia and orthoclase. The activator element Al - O - Al, show a broad emission band between 450-480 nm. This emission in CL is caused by the replacement of Al3+ and Si4+ in feldspars.