Reflectance
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra) of gemstones have been
acquired using a microscope IRscopeII (Bruker) accumulating 200 scans
with a resolution of a cm-1 or better, in the range 7000-600 cm-1. Here
are given only the skeletal bands which lie in the interval 1500-600
cm-1. When the samples were suitably cut in direction parallel or
normal to the c axis, polarized spectra were also obtained on the
pinacoid or on the basis respectively or both. According to the group
theory 6A2u + 16 E1u infrared modes are predicted: the E1u modes are
observed in the spectrum when the electric field is perpendicular to
the c-axis (ordinary ray) and the A2u modes are observed for the
extraordinary ray (E|| c). Therefore, non degenerate bands (A2u) are
observed on pinacoids and show intensity changes in polarization, while
degenerate bands (E1u) are detected on basis spectra and show only a
lowering in intensity in polarized light.