Simple and efficient method for detection of traces of rare earth elements in minerals by Raman spectroscopy instrumentation

Abstract

As an effort to increase the knowledge about the abundance, distribution and geochemical behavior of the rare earth elements (REEs), a simple and effective Raman spectroscopic method for detection of REEs in minerals is proposed. The proposed method based on Raman spectroscopy provides a lower detection limit for REEs compared to the modern analytical techniques. It could be practiced even in laboratories equipped only with FT-Raman instrumentation. This simple, inexpensive, rapid and straightforward Raman method for REEs detection in minerals is a convenient experiment for undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory courses.