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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
Published on: April 12, 2017
A Raman spectroscopic study of a fulgurite
Elizabeth A Carter1, Michael D Hargreaves, Terence P Kee
1Vibrational Spectroscopy Facility, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia. e.carter@chem.usyd.edu.au
Abstract:
A Raman microspectroscopic study of several fulgurites has been undertaken. A fulgurite is an amorphous mineraloid, a superheated glassy solid that is formed when a lightning bolt hits a sandy or rocky ground and thermal energy is transferred. The Raman spectra revealed several forms of crystalline and fused silica and also the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons found in an interfacial zone of a glass bubble. This, together with the presence of anatase, a low-temperature polymorph of TiO(2), suggested that some regions of the fulgurite specimen were not subjected to temperatures of 1800 degrees C, which are attained when lightning hits the surface of sand or a rock.
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