Cathodoluminescence Microcharacterization and Infrared Spectroscopy of Illite from Fuzerradvany, NE Hungary, Europe(Characterization of Clays,Proceedings of the 13^<th> International Clay Conference)

Illite as a mineral of the mica group was investigated to obtain information concerning its cathodoluminescence and infrared absorption. The study included analyses by scanning electron microscope (SEM), cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy and microscopy as well as infrared (IR) spectroscopy on muscovite as a reference mineral and illite from Fuzerradvany, NE Hungary. CL image of illite shows relatively bright, crystallographically controlled bands and zones in the otherwise CL-dark background. Cathodoluminescence spectrum of illite from Fuzerradvany shows a broad band centered at 589nm. Illite shows eleven FIR peaks at 94, 118, 193, 260, 334, 384, 419, 473, 505, 528, and 544cm^<-1>, and exhibits MIR spectral features at 538 (bending vibration of SiO_4^<4->), 1038 (stretching vibrations of SiO_4^<4->), 1664 (bending vibrations of H_2O), 3481 and 3641cm^<-1> (stretching vibrations of OH group). In general, illite shows low intensity in the CL image and spectrum, indicating that this mineral lacks recombination centers or electron traps for the cathodoluminescence emission. It indicates that illite was formed at high temperature. CL and IR properties of illite provide useful information on its origin and microdeformations.