Laser-induced time-resolved luminescence as a tool for rare-earth element identification in minerals

We have determined and distinguished a number of rare-earth elements in sev eral minerals by use of laser-induced time-resolved luminescence spectrosco py. Unlike the conventional measurement of steady-state luminescence, the m ethod allows discrimination between ions that emit in the same spectral ran ge but have different decay times. The main new results are the following: decay time data for all REE luminescence centers: Tm3+, Pr3+, Er3+, Ho3+ lu minescence in apatite, scheelite, zircon, calcite, and fluorite; Eu3+ lumin escence in apatite, zircon, fluorite, calcite, danburite, and datolite.