Analyzing Optical Properties of Natural Fluorite Crystals: A Comprehensive Investigation

Abstract

Fluorite, a primary fluorine mineral, plays a crucial role in various chemical and manufacturing processes. In this study focuses on the structural and optical characteristics of four natural fluorite crystals from the Era mine and Komsheche deposit in Iran. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were used to investigate the samples. The Raman spectra exhibited a distinctive peak at approximately 322 cm⁻¹, corresponding to the CaF₂ lattice vibration. XRD patterns confirmed the cubic phase of CaF₂, and the preferred orientation of the (111) crystallographic plane was observed. The study revealed variations in full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values among the samples, potentially indicating the presence of yttrium and enabling differentiation of Various fluorites from different regions. The results provide valuable insights into the structural and optical properties of fluorite crystals and contribute to the understanding of their formation and potential applications in various fields.