Magnetic phases in hemo-ilmenite: Insight from low-velocity and high-field Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have studied natural samples of hemo-ilmenite (ilmenite with hematite exsolution lamellae) by use of Mössbauer spectroscopy. The samples are from the Allard Lake intrusion in Quebec. The stoichiometric compositions of the ilmenite host and the hematite lamellae are approximately Fe²⁺_0.84Mg²⁺ _0.14Ti⁴⁺ _0.98Fe³⁺ _0.04O₃ and Fe²⁺ _0.17Mg²⁺_0.01Ti⁴⁺ _0.18Fe³⁺_1.64O₃, respectively. From low-velocity Mössbauer measurements, the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ components of the Fe²⁺ -substituted hematite and Fe³⁺ -substituted ilmenite, formed by incomplete exsolution of hematite and ilmenite, have been suggested identified. High-field Mössbauer measurements, obtained at low-temperature indicate the presence of a minor ferrimagnetic component.