Raman identification of lonsdaleite in Popigai impactites

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction method (XRD) were used to characterize impact carbonaceous rocks excavated from the Popigai crater (Siberia). The deconvolution of the first‐order Raman spectra of the rocks containing different amounts of carbon phases (diamond, lonsdaleite and graphite) allowed the identification of lonsdaleite spectrum. The most intensive band at 1292–1303 cm −1 was ascribed to A 1g vibration mode of lonsdaleite, whereas the less intense band at 1219–1244 cm −1 was attributed, in agreement with previously reported ab initio calculations, to E 2g vibration mode. The established correlation between the intensities of Raman and XRD peaks permits a rough estimation of lonsdaleite/diamond phase ratio in the impact rocks using micro‐Raman measurements. The second‐order Raman spectra of lonsdaleite–diamond rocks were recorded. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.