Reinvestigation of crystal chemistry of sakuraiite

Abstract

We performed single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of the type specimen of sakuraiite. In the original description (Kato, 1965), sakuraiite was reported as tetragonal (pseudo-cubic with c = 2a) with an ideal formula of (Cu,Zn,Fe)₃(In,Sn)S₄. On the other hand, based on X-ray presession images and chemical analyses, Kissin & Owens (1986) concluded that sakuraiite was cubic phase with an ideal formula of (Cu,Zn, Fe,In,Sn)S. In the present study, we obtained a tetragonal P-42m structural model. However, because fine lamellae textures with varying compositions are developed in the type specimen, correspondence of the structure and composition is currently under investigation.