Chemical controls of cathodoluminescence of natural dolomites and calcites: new data and review

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Abstract
Calcites and dolomites from the late Precambrian Bonahaven Formation of Scotland exhibit luminescence when MnCO3>0.03 wt % (dolomite) or >0.06 wt % (calcite) and FeCO3<2‐2‐5 wt % (dolomite). Comparison with other published data shows close similarity in the position of Fe‐quenching in dolomite, but more variability in the position of Mn‐activation in calcites and dolomites and the onset of Fe‐quenching in calcites. These anomalies are thought to relate to chemical controls subsidiary to the dominant factors of Fe and Mn concentration. It is not practical to make a useful comparison between operating conditions of different luminescence instruments because of differences in design and an inability to measure routinely the current actually on the specimen surface.