Abstract
Several specimens of Libyan desert glass (LDG), an enigmatic natural glass from Egypt, were subjected to investigation by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The spectra of inclusions inside the LDG samples were successfully measured through the layers of glass and the mineral species were identified on this basis. The presence of cristobalite as typical for high-temperature melt products was confirmed, together with co-existing quartz. TiO2 was determined in two polymorphic species rutile and anatase. Micro-Raman spectroscopy proved also the presence of minerals unusual for high-temperature glasses such as anhydrite and aragonite.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are very thankful to Guido Crauwels who made the pictures of the inclusions. They were made with Nikon camera and a horizontal immersion microscope at a magnification ×82. Many thanks to Ayman Mohammed and his crew for the organisation of several expeditions to the LDG area in Egypt. Words of gratitude also go to the reviewers, whose remarks helped us improve our publication.
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Swaenen, M., Stefaniak, E.A., Frost, R. et al. Investigation of inclusions trapped inside Libyan desert glass by Raman microscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 397, 2659–2665 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3351-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3351-2