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.