A Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl tellurite mineral schmitterite

Raman spectra of schmitterite measured at 298 and 77 K are presented and discussed in detail and in part in comparison with published IR spectrum of synthetic schmitterite. UO bond lengths in uranyls, calculated with the empirical relations RU-O = f[ν1(UO2)2+] Å and RU-O = f[ν3(UO2)2+] Å, are close to those inferred from the X-ray single crystal structure of synthetic schmitterite and agree also with the data for other natural and synthetic uranyl tellurites.