DOCUMENTATION_FORMAT: MINERAL
SAMPLE_ID: WS385
MINERAL_TYPE: Phosphate
MINERAL: Monazite
FORMULA: (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4
FORMULA_HTML: (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4
COLLECTION_LOCALITY: Elk Mt., New Mexico, USA
ORIGINAL_DONOR: Wards Scientific
CURRENT_SAMPLE_LOCATION: USGS Denver Spectroscopy Laboratory
ULTIMATE_SAMPLE_LOCATION: USGS Denver Spectroscopy Laboratory
SAMPLE_DESCRIPTION: Large single mottled redish-brown crystal.
IMAGE_OF_SAMPLE:
END_SAMPLE_DESCRIPTION.
XRD_ANALYSIS:
Monazite or cheralite (a member of the monazite group with elevated thorium) was identified. No other phases were detected (R. Driscoll)
END_XRD_ANALYSIS.
COMPOSITIONAL_ANALYSIS_TYPE: None # XRF, EPMA, ICP(Trace), WChem
COMPOSITION_TRACE:
COMPOSITION_DISCUSSION:
END_COMPOSITION_DISCUSSION.
MICROSCOPIC_EXAMINATION:
END_MICROSCOPIC_EXAMINATION.
SPECTROSCOPIC_DISCUSSION:
The spectrum of this sample was measured on what resembles a single monazite crystal. There are numerous intense sharp absorptions (f-f orbital electronic transitions) throughout the 0.35 to 1.35 micron region presumably due to variable proportions of lanthanide series rare earth elements (i.e., Nd, Sm, and others). (G. Swayze)
END_SPECTROSCOPIC_DISCUSSION.
SPECTRAL_PURITY: 1b2_3_4_ # WS385 # 1= 0.2-3, 2= 1.5-6, 3= 6-25, 4= 20-150 microns