Infrared reflection spectra of forsterite crystal

Abstract

Polarized infrared reflectance of large single crystals of forsterite was measured for each crystal axis at frequencies between 5000 cm-1 and 100 cm-1 with a resolution of 1 cm-1. The reflectance spectra were analyzed based on classical dispersion theory. A set of oscillator parameters for crystalline axes of forsterite was obtained. Those parameters are used to derive optical constants of forsterite, which are important for analyses of observed spectra of astronomical objects and laboratory spectra of particle samples. Calculations of absorption for small particles using the bulk optical constants are compared with mid-infrared and far-infrared absorption spectra measured in the laboratory. © ESO 2006.