Cathodoluminescence and geosciences

Cathodoluminescence, or the emission of photons in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum under cathodic excitation is routinely used in mineralogy and sedimentary petrography. Currently, an improved knowledge of the physical causes of CL and the use of high-resolution SEM-CL imaging and SEM-CL spectroscopic instruments, which permit new observations of UV and infrared emission, demonstrate the limits in interpreting the CL characteristics of geomaterials. Applying these new CL instruments in combination with micro-scale trace-chemical analytical techniques has a great potential for improving CL interpretations as shown by the few recent studies on carbonates and silicates in geosciences.