Rare earth elements such as europium, terbium, dysprosium, and yttrium are also known to contribute to the fluorescence phenomenon. These activators are typically cations of metals such as: tungsten, molybdenum, lead, boron, titanium, manganese, uranium, and chromium. Fluorescence usually occurs when specific impurities known as "activators" are present within the mineral. Only about 15% of minerals have a fluorescence that is visible to people, and some specimens of those minerals will not fluoresce. Most minerals do not have a noticeable fluorescence. This "glow" continues as long as the mineral is illuminated with light of the proper wavelength. This produces a visible change in the color of the mineral. The wavelength of light released from a fluorescent mineral is often distinctly different from the wavelength of the incident light. This release of light is known as fluorescence. When those electrons fall back down to their original orbital, a small amount of energy is released in the form of light. These excited electrons temporarily jump up to a higher orbital within the mineral's atomic structure. These types of light have the ability to excite susceptible electrons within the atomic structure of the mineral. Ultraviolet (UV) light, x-rays, and cathode rays are the typical types of light that trigger fluorescence. Fluorescence in More Detailįluorescence in minerals occurs when a specimen is illuminated with specific wavelengths of light. How fluorescence works: Diagram that shows how photons and electrons interact to produce the fluorescence phenomenon. This change in wavelength causes a temporary color change of the mineral in the eye of a human observer. Some minerals have an interesting physical property known as "fluorescence." These minerals have the ability to temporarily absorb a small amount of light and an instant later release a small amount of light of a different wavelength. That is what makes them visible to the human eye. What is a Fluorescent Mineral?Īll minerals have the ability to reflect light. It is used here under a Creative Commons license. Hannes Grobe and is part of the Wikimedia Commons collection. Hemimorphite with Sphalerite in gangue - Germany Ĥ7 Willemite, Calcite - New Jersey. Clinohydrite, Hardystonite, Willemite, Calcite - New Jersey Ĥ1. Willemite (green), Calcite (red), Franklinite, Rhodonite - New Jersey ġ8. Hardystonite (blue), Calcite (red), Willemite (green) - New Jersey ġ5. The fluorescent minerals in each specimen are: 1.
Fluorescent mineral key: This sketch is a key to the fluorescent rocks and minerals in the large color image at the top of this page.
0 kommentar(er)
