Combination of Hyperspectral Absorption and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy for the Detection of Rare Earth Elements in Natural Minerals

With the recently intensified development in key technologies such as renewable energy, electric mobility as well as high-tech computer and telecommunication systems, the robust detection and characterization of rare earth elements (REE) simultaneously gained in importance. It is essential not only for the safeguarding of a continuous supply with crucial REE by characterizing new and existing deposits, but also for the future recycling of today’s high-tech products and plants. Until now, hyperspectral absorption as well as emission spectroscopy have been proven to be capable of REE detection in different materials [1,2]. While absorption spectroscopy has been successfully used for complex and natural samples, existing studies in laser-induced emission spectroscopy (or laser fluorescence) often focus mainly on synthetic crystals and single REE standards. Within this contribution, we focus on the qualitative and quantitative characterization of REE in natural minerals and complex rocks for their possible use as sensors in the mining industry. Based on the integration of emission and absorption spectroscopy techniques we propose a simple yet robust pathway for detection of REE in rock samples.

[1] D. J. Turner, B. Rivard, L. Groat American Mineralogist, 99, 1335–1346 (2014)
[2] M. Gaft, G. Panczer, R. Reisfeld, E. Uspensky Phys. Chem. Minerals, 28, 347-363 (2001)