Energy transfer among Pb, Ce and Mn in fluorescent calcite from Kuerle, Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Natural calcite from Kuerle, Xinjiang, China, shows orange-red fluorescence when exposed to short-wave ultraviolet (UV) light (Hg 253.7 nm). Photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation spectra of the calcite are observed at room temperature in detail. The PL emission spectrum under 208 nm excitation consists of three bands: two UV bands at 325 and 355 nm and an orange-red band at 620 nm. The three bands are ascribed to Pb2+, Ce3+ and Mn2+, respectively, as activators. The Pb2+ excitation band is observed at 243 nm, and the Ce3+ excitation band at 295 nm. The Pb2+ excitation band is also observed by monitoring the Ce3+ fluorescence, and the Pb2+ and Ce3+ excitation bands, in addition to six Mn2+ excitation bands, are also observed by monitoring the Mn2+ fluorescence. These indicate that four types of the energy transfer can occur in calcite through the following processes: (1) Pb2+ → Ce3+, (2) Pb2+ → Mn2+, (3) Ce3+ → Mn2+ and (4) Pb2+ → Ce3+ → Mn2+.