title: Micro-Raman spectroscopy as a routine tool for garnet analysis.
abstract: A rapid system to obtain molar compositions of minerals belonging to the garnet group by means of Raman spectroscopy is illustrated here. A series of standard garnets, whose composition was determined by means of Wavelength Dispersive System (WDS) electron microprobe measurements, was used to correlate the wavenumbers of the different Raman peaks with chemical composition. A simple software routine was then developed in order to obtain garnet molar composition starting from the Raman spectrum, based on the assumption that in a solid solution belonging to the garnet family the Raman wavenumbers are linear combinations of end member wavenumbers, weighted by their molar fraction. The choice of the Raman bands used for the calculations and their behaviour are also discussed. The method, called MIRAGEM (Micro-Raman Garnets Evaluation Method), was then tested on a second series of garnets with satisfactory results.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Parma, Viale G.P. Usberti 7a, 43100 Parma, Italy. danilo.bersani@fis.unipr.it
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andò
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vignola
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moltifiori
authors.forename: Iari-Gabriel
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Lottici
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diella
mesh_terms: D017640:Silicates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017640:Silicates