Characterization of Sulphide Ore Minerals Using Combined Laser Raman with Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM)

The Laser Raman Micro Spectroscopy (LRMS) is a non-destructive material characterization technique. It is extensively used for the identification of minerals and gemstones. Raman spectra give crucial information on aspects of crystal structure, crystal chemistry, and chemical speciation in mineralogical and geochemical systems as specific compounds in a microsample. The Raman microprobe also permits Raman imaging and mapping of surfaces and inclusions. The LRMS study provides information that is sometimes difficult to obtain from Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) and ion microprobes. The Raman microprobe offers an important method to the classification of minerals and associated gangue materials in the sulphide ores. Confocal Raman spectroscopy, in combination with Scanning Nearfield Optical Microscopy (SNOM) has dramatically increased the applicability for mineralogical studies)