The vibrational spectra of lead apatites

S. R. Levitt; R. A. Condrate

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Research Article| October 01, 1970

The vibrational spectra of lead apatites^¹

S. R. Levitt;

S. R. Levitt

Department of Ceramic Science, State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York 14802.

² Present address: Ferro Corporation, Technical Center, 4150 East 56th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44105.

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R. A. Condrate, Sr.

Department of Ceramic Science, State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York 14802.

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Author and Article Information

S. R. Levitt

Department of Ceramic Science, State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York 14802.

² Present address: Ferro Corporation, Technical Center, 4150 East 56th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44105.

R. A. Condrate, Sr.

Department of Ceramic Science, State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, New York 14802.

Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America

Received: 30 Jan 1970

Accepted: 17 Apr 1970

First Online: 06 Jul 2018

Online ISSN: 1945-3027

Print ISSN: 0003-004X

Mineralogical Society of America

American Mineralogist (1970) 55 (9-10): 1562–1575.

Abstract

The infrared (4000-33 cm^-1) and laser-Raman spectra are obtained for the mineralogical lead apatites: pyromorphite Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆Cl₂, mimetite Pb₁₀(AsO₄)₆Cl₂, and vanadinite Pb₁₀(VO₄)₆Cl₂. The lack of Raman spectra has previously led to incorrect interpretation of the spectral data. The ν₂ bending modes of XO₄^3- groups are assigned to high frequency, low intensity bands in the infrared spectra. For example, the ν₂-mode for the phosphate ion in pyromorphite occurs at 436 cm^-1. Also, simple site group theory is now shown to be inadequate for explaining the vibrational spectra of lead apatites. Factor group analysis based on unit-cell symmetry considerations must be introduced to interpret the vibrational spectra. Finally ν₁−ν₃ frequency inversion in Raman spectra is noted for both mimetite and vanadinite.