Cathodoluminescence Emission for Differentiating the Degree of Carbonation in Apatites

Abstract

Cathodoluminescence has recently been used successfully in detecting and determining the spatial location of the amorphous phase in plasma sprayed calcium phosphate coatings. The aim of this study is to determine whether this same technique can be used to detect different carbonate substitutions in apatites. Single crystal!i were analysed with cathodoluminscence spectroscopy and the results indicated a change in peak shape. The substitution of carbonate into the hydroxyapatite structure creates a more well defined peak with a narrower width at half the peak height.