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The comparison of optical oscillators is used both to determine their spectral characteristics and to perform fundamental research. To describe each individual laser system, it is necessary to compare at least three independent laser oscillators. Three ultrastable lasers with wavelengths of 1140, 1550, and 871 nm located in different laboratories at the Lebedev Physical Institute have been compared. A femtosecond frequency comb has been used to transfer stability between different spectral ranges. A fractional frequency instability has been obtained with the three-cornered hat method and phase noise of each laser has been analyzed. Using this method, it has been shown that the characteristics of the laser system at a wavelength of 871 nm are appropriate to control the quantum state of an optical qubit on a quadrupole transition in an ytterbium ion with a n-atural width of 3.1 Hz.

The Paul ion trap is developed for the use in a compact frequency standard based on a single ytterbium ion. The design features are the use of atomic ovens for compensating for parasitic electric fields and good optical accessibility. The results on trapping and laser cooling of a single 171Yb+ ion are presented. A secular frequency of up to 1.2 MHz has been achieved.

Trapped ions nowadays play an important role in both fundamental science and technical applications. Due to its convenient energy structure, singly charged ytterbium ion is widely used in microwave and optical frequency standards, tests of fundamental theories, and quantum information science. In this paper, we present the results of wavelengths measurements in the 2S1/2→2P1/2 and 2D3/2→3[3/2]1/2 transitions in 170Yb+, 171Yb+, 172Yb+, 174Yb+, and 176Yb+ ions with uncertainties of 50 and 20 MHz, respectively. We reach a factor of three-times improvement in the accuracy with respect to the previously published data, which significantly simplifies the process of initial ion trapping and cooling, in a laser system and an ion trap designed for the YBIS Project aimed for developing a compact and transportable optical clock based on a single 171Yb+ ion.

—The method of quasi-equilibrium directional crystallization was used for experimental modeling of the behavior of noble metals in the presence of Te during the fractional crystallization of Cu- and Ni-rich sulfide magma. The experimental melt contained (mol.%): Fe = 18.5, Ni = 19.1, Cu = 16.7, S = 44.1, and Pt = Pd = Rh = Ir = Ru = Ag = Au = Te = 0.2, i.e., is similar in composition to the massive pentlandite-bornite ores of platinum-copper-nickel deposits of the Noril’sk group. The crystallized sample consists of six primary zones differing in chemical and phase compositions. The main minerals crystallizing from the melt include the following sulfide phases: bornite solid solution (bnss), quaternary solid solution (tss), described earlier in the literature, and three phases (сfpn, cnpn, npn), which we attributed to pentlandite according to their chemical composition. The primary phases crystallized from the melt decay on cooling with the formation of secondary phases. The сfpn, cnpn, and tss phases decay completely, and the npn and bnss phases, partly. As a result, secondary zoning forms in the sample. Formation of drop-like inclusions of telluride melt was observed in the end zone of the ingot. The obtained data show that pentlandites and tss are the main high-temperature concentrators of PGE, with each of the macrophases showing specific PGE accumulation. Eight types of impurity phases have been detected. They form by different mechanisms: crystallization from sulfide melt of refractory compounds, deposition from telluride melt, and formation through complete or partial decay of primary macro- and microphases. A scheme of the zonal structure of the crystallized sample and the evolution of the phase composition during fractional crystallization has been constructed. It clearly demonstrates the intricate formation of primary and secondary major-component and impurity zonings and can be used to explain the nature of the zoned structure of massive PGE-bearing pentlandite–bornite orebodies.

The results of study of the chemical and phase compositions of three Ag-, Au-, platinum group element-, As-, Bi-, and Te-bearing samples, which are the product of directed crystallization of the Cu–Fe–Ni sulfide melt, are presented. One sample contained only metals, the second one was additionally doped with As, and the third one was enhanced in As, Bi, and Te. The mechanism of formation of the minerals of the platinum group metals during fractionation crystallization of multicomponent sulfide melts was proposed on the basis of interpretation of experimental data.

Using modern thermobarogeochemical methods (thermo- and cryometry, Raman spectroscopy, and LA–ICP-MS), we studied fluid inclusions in quartz from ores formed at the quartz–fluorite, pyrite–chalcopyrite, pyrite–molybdenite, and polysulfide stages of evolution of the Samolazovskoe gold deposit. We have established the fluid regime of the ore formation processes, the gas and liquid composition, main solid phases (metal sulfates, carbonates, and chlorides), homogenization temperatures of the inclusions, and the eutectic temperatures of their solutions. The obtained data helped to estimate the fluid temperatures during the formation of ores at each stage and to determine the contents of major salt components. Based on the substance solubility values given in the reference-book by V.B. Kogan, we have first constructed a phase diagram of the system Na2SO4–NaHCO3–H2O (Na2SO4 < 35 wt.%) at temperatures below 40 °C. The metal contents and geochemical specifics of solutions at each stage of the ore formation were determined by LA–ICP-MS. At the quartz–fluorite stage, the solutions were enriched in B, V, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Te, Cs, Ba, and Mg; at the pyrite–molybdenite stage, they had high concentrations of Ti, Ni, Nb, and Mo; and at the polysulfide stage, the solutions were rich in Ca, As, Pb, Sb, Te, Ag, Rb, Ba, and Sr. Native sulfur found along with sulfate and sulfide sulfur in the inclusions impelled us to study the sulfur isotope composition. The research has shown a light sulfur isotope composition (δ34S = –2.5 to –13.4‰). We believe that sulfide sulfur in the Samolazovskoe deposit formed from a fluid during high-temperature (> 500–700 °C) sulfate reduction.

A linear quadrupole Paul trap is fabricated for capturing magnesium and aluminium ions. An experimental cycle performed has demonstrated ion capture and holding in a trap with an average ion lifetime of . Modelling of ion dynamics in the trap shows that the main mechanism responsible for losses of hot ions is multiparticle interaction, which results in that a kinetic energy of some ions increases and they leave the trapping zone. This mechanism is completely suppressed if ions are cooled. Another mechanism is the charge exchange; however, it is not substantial at a high average energy of ions produced in the result of an electron impact. Parameters of the trap allow one to perform precision spectroscopic measurements and to control ion quantum states.

Thermodynamic calculations using the HCh software were made for mineral equilibriums including REEs in the fluoride–sulfide–chloride–carbonate–sulfate–system in the presence of Na, Ca, and P with fluids of various acidities–alkalinities [11]. The obtained thermodynamic characteristics of thenardite allowed us to carry out the calculations for this phase under complicated hydrothermal conditions simulating the presence of oxidized fluids at 500–100°C and 2000–125 bar. Among other solid phases, REEs–fluorite, monazite, and REE–F–apatite were formed as CaF2–(Ln,Y)F3, LnPO4, and Ca5(PO4)3F–(Ln,Y)3(PO4)3 ideal solid solutions, respectively, where Ln is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd. Xenotime, anhydrite, elemental sulfur, and calcite were found as well.

Fe-rich carbonatites with a mineral assemblage of ankerite-calcite or siderite are widespread in southern Siberia, Russia. The siderite carbonatites are associated with F-Ba-Sr-REE mineralization and have a 40Ar/39Ar age of 117.2 ± 1.3 Ma. Melt and fluid inclusions suggest that the carbonatites formed from volatile-rich alkali- and chloride-bearing carbonate melts. Ankerite-calcite carbonatites formed from carbonatite melt at a temperature of more than 790 °C. The ferrocarbonatites (the second phase of carbonatite intrusion) formed from a sulfate-carbonate-chloride fluid phase (brine-melt) at >650 °C and ≥360 MPa. The brine-melt fluid phase had high concentrations of Fe and LREEs. A subsequent hydrothermal overprint contributed to the formation of economically important barite-Sr-fluorite-REE mineralization in polymict siderite breccia.

The Ob-Zaisan folded zone is a fragment of a single structure composed of Paleozoic sedimentary and volcanogenic rocks (mainly black shale), which was formed at the margin of the Siberian continent and features a common set of magmatic complexes and mineral systems. However, there are some differences that determine the specific geological and metallogenic features of the Irtysh-Zaisan and Kolyvan-Tomsk fragments of the Ob-Zaisan folded zone. In the gold deposits of the West Kalba and Kolyvan-Tomsk auriferous belt, the main gold-sulfide mineralization is controlled by zones of shearing and dynamic metamorphism in carbonaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks. This type of mineralization was formed in tectonic blocks in a compressional setting. Antimony mineralization is characterized by brecciated textures and the vein-like morphology of ore bodies, reflecting extensional tectonics. At some deposits (Zherek, Mirazh, Dalny), Sb mineralization is spatially separated from the main gold-sulfide ores and shows cross-cutting relations to the principal ore-controlling structures. In other gold deposits, stibnite is spatially associated with disseminated gold-sulfide ores and forms mineral assemblages with Ni, Co, Au, Pb, and Fe (Alimbet, Zhanan, Legostaevskoe, Semiluzhenskoe, and Kamenskoe deposits). This study reveals no direct correlation between Au and Sb in gold-sulfide ores of these deposits. SEM analysis indicated the absence of free gold in stibnite veins. However, atomic absorption and electron microprobe analysis indicated the presence of “invisible gold” from a few ppm to several tens of ppm in the stibnite. High gold contents in the gold-sulfide ores overprinted by antimony mineralization (Suzdalskoe, Zhanan, and Legostaevskoe deposits) can be explained by the processes of regeneration and redeposition. The results of microstructural observations, isotope geochronology, studies of mineral assemblages and fluid inclusions in the ores from gold deposits of the Ob-Zaisan folded zone suggest that antimony mineralization was formed at gold-polysulfide stage, which was separated from the early ore pyrite-arsenopyrite stage by a 30 Ma time gap. It can be assumed that the essentially stibnite mineralization was formed at a separate stage and was separated from the gold-polysulfide mineralization by a 7 Ma interval of tectonic activity. Our Ar-Ar data on sericite from ore samples, combined with U-Pb data on zircons from igneous rocks and previous data from the literature show that there were two major stages of ore formation: the Early Permian (282-270 Ma) and the Early Triassic (250-240 Ma). Most researchers suggest that these stages of mineralization can be related to the epochs of intraplate magmatism that led to the formation of the Tarim (280 Ma) and Siberian (250 Ma) large igneous provinces. These global geological events are generally connected with the influence of Tarim and Siberian mantle plumes.

The spatial coexistence and synchronous formation of magmatogene porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization and epithermal gold mineralization are due to the genetic relationship between their formation processes. This relationship might be due to the generation of metal-bearing fluids of different geochemical compositions by the porphyry ore-magmatic system, which then participate in the formation of magmatogene porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) and associated epithermal gold deposits. Synthesis of fluid inclusions in quartz was performed for experimental study of the behavior of Cu, Mo, W, Sn, Au, As, Sb, Te, Ag, and Bi in heterophase fluids similar in composition and aggregate state to natural ore-forming fluids of porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) deposits. We have established that at 700 ºC, a pressure decrease from 117 to 106 MPa leads to a significant enrichment of the gas phase of heterophase chloride fluid with Au, As, Sb, and Bi. The heterophase state of carbonate–chloride–sulfate fluids is observed at 600 ºC and 100–90 MPa. It characterizes the highly concentrated liquid carbonate–sulfide phase–liquid chloride phase–low-density gas phase equilibrium. A decrease in the pressure of heterophase carbonate–chloride–sulfate fluid leads to a noticeable enrichment of its chloride phase with Cu, Mo, Fe, W, Ag, Sn, Sb, and Zn relative to the carbonate–sulfate phase. The processes of redistribution of ore elements between the phases of heterophase fluids can be considered a model of generation of metal-bearing chloride fluids, which occurs in nature during the formation of porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) deposits, as well as a model of generation of gas fluids supplying Au, Te, As, and other ore elements to the place of formation of epithermal Au–Cu and Au–Ag mineralization. © 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The authors have studied melt-fluid and fluid inclusions in quartz and fluorite of sideritic and ankerite-calcitic carbonatites of the Karasug ore field, as well as melt inclusions in apatite from granosyenites. The content of salt and fluid components in brine-melt inclusions was evaluated on the basis of the thermodynamic data, the calculations of volumes and densities of the solid phases, a solution of about 50% concentration, and the gas phase of the inclusions, as well as the results of the LA-ICP-MS analysis. The content of salt phases, the solution, and the gas phase amounted to 85–70, 10–25, and about 5% of the inclusion substance, respectively. The total percentage of salt and fluid components (H2O and CO2) amounted to 90–80 and 10–20 wt %, respectively. The fraction of a carbonate constituent in the inclusions was as high as 45–50% and over in ankerite-calcite carbonatites and about 15 wt % in sideritic carbonatites. The 117.2 ± 1.3 Ma age of these carbonatites by 40Ar/39Ar, along with other datings for this area, shows that their formation was associated with a manifestation of the Cretaceous alkaline-mafic magmatism (117–120 Ma). The presented model of the formation of carbonatites is in agreement with the sequence of the development of magmatic processes and mineralization in this area. The model is also confirmed by the results of the studies of melt and fluid inclusions in minerals.

Based on study of fluid and melt inclusions in minerals from igneous rocks and associated ore-metasomatic objects, we consider the formation conditions of oxidized fluids produced at the final stages of differentiation of alkali-basic, alkaline, lamproitic, and some granitoid melts. These fluids are characterized by wide variations in composition, concentrations, and physicochemical parameters (P, T, Eh, pH, etc.) and are of sulfate-chloride, sulfate-carbonate, sulfate-fluoride, fluoride-sulfate, essentially sulfate, and other types. The specific composition of these magmatogene fluids showing a high extractive power favors the effective removal of ore-forming elements (Fe, Mn, Co, N, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, W, Bi, U, REE, etc.) from melt and their trapping from the host rocks. The set of these elements is determined by P-T-X-parameters, conditions of fluid separation from melts, composition of fluid-generating magmas, and geochemical composition and metal-bearing capacity of rocks through which the fluids migrate. These factors significantly determine the metallogeny of alkaline, alkali-basic, and some granitoid complexes and associated mineralization.

Gold mineralization at copper-skarn deposits (Tardanskoe, Murzinskoe, Sinyukhinskoe, Choiskoe) in the Altai–Sayan folded area is related to different hydrothermal-metasomatic formations. It was produced at 400–150 ºC in several stages spanning 5–6 Myr, which determined the diversity of its mineral assemblages. Gold mineralization associated with magnetite bodies is spatially correlated with magnesian and calcareous skarns, whereas gold mineralization in crushing zones and along fault sutures in moderate- and low-temperature hydrothermal-metasomatic rocks (propylites, beresites, serpentinites, and argillizites) is of postskarn formation. Different stages were manifested with different intensities at gold deposits. For example, the Sinyukhinskoe deposit abounds in early high-temperature mineral assemblages; the Choiskoe deposit, in low-temperature ones; and the Tardanskoe and Murzinskoe deposits are rich in both early and late gold minerals. Formation of commercial gold mineralization at different copper-skarn deposits is due to the combination of gold mineralization produced at different stages as a result of formation of intricate igneous complexes (Tannu-Ola, Ust’-Belaya, and Yugala) composed of differentiated rocks from gabbros to granites.

Using the Chiller computer program, we performed modeling of the mechanisms of the joint transport and deposition of Au and Sb from various ore-forming solutions during the formation of Au-Sb deposits. Three models are considered by the example of the Uderei Au-Sb deposit in the Yenisei Ridge: (1) simple cooling (cooling only), (2) iso-enthalpy boiling (P = f(T)), and (3) solution–rock interaction (rock titration model). The behavior of Sb(III) and Au(I) in the system Au–Sb–Fe–Cu–Pb–Zn–As–H2O–Cl–H2S–CO2 under hydrothermal conditions was studied. It is shown that both weakly alkaline (near-neutral) and reduced acidic Feaq2+-enriched low-chloride high-CO2 and high-chloride hydrothermal solutions play a crucial role in the formation of gold parageneses of Au-Sb ores.

Based on data on the composition of ore-bearing hydrothermal solutions and parameters of ore-forming processes at various antimony and antimony-bearing deposits, which were obtained in studies of fluid inclusions in ore minerals, we investigated the behavior of Sb(III) in the system Sb–Cl–H2S–H2O describing the formation of these deposits. We also performed thermodynamic modeling of native-antimony and stibnite dissolution in sulfide (mHS− = 0.0001−0.1) and chloride (mCl− = 0.1−5) solutions and the joint dissolution of Sb(s)0 and Sb2S3(s) in sulfide-chloride solution (mHS− = 0.01; mCl− = 1) depending on Eh, pH, and temperature. All thermodynamic calculations were carried out using the Chiller computer program. Under the above conditions, stibnite precipitates in acid, weakly acid to neutral, and medium redox solutions, whereas native antimony precipitates before stibnite under more reducing conditions in neutral to alkaline solutions. The metal-bearing capacity of hydrothermal solutions (200–250 °C) of different compositions and origins has been predicted. We have established that the highest capacity is specific for acid (pH = 2–3) high-chloride solutions poor in sulfide sulfur and alkaline (pH = 7–8) low-chloride low-sulfide solutions.

The results obtained with LA-ICP-MS by less abundant lighter 113 In isotope and EPMA show that in cassiterite of cassiterite–quartz veins the indium contents do not exceed 160 ppm, while cassiterite from Sn–sulfide veins is characterized by higher indium contents from 40 to 485 ppm; sulfides of Sn–sulfide veins unlike sulfides of cassiterite–quartz veins also have the highest indium contents: Fe-sphalerite (100–25,000 ppm), chalcopyrite (up to 1000 ppm), and stannite (up to 60,000 ppm). Indium contents in the Sn–sulfide ore of the Tigrinoe and Pravourmiiskoe deposits obtained using SR-XRF, ICP-MS and atomic absorption methods range from 10 to 433 ppm with average values of 56–65 ppm. Indium-rich Sn–sulfide mineralization in five large Sn–Ag ore districts of the Far East Russia (Khingansky, Badzhalsky, Komsomolsky, Arminsky, Kavalerovsky) provides the impetus for further exploration of deposits with Sn–sulfide mineralization as the most promising indium resources in Russia. Empirical observations from geology and geochronology of cassiterite–quartz and Sn–sulfide mineralization show that the combined contribution from granite and alkaline–subalkaline mafic sources and multistage ore-forming processes doubled indium resources of deposits being the main factors in the formation of high grade indium mineralization.

Ore forming conditions for Au-Sb and Ag-Sb deposits have been estimated using thermodynamic modeling. PTX-parameters of ore-forming fluids obtained by fluid inclusion study in the minerals were used as original data for modeling. Analysis of composition of fluid inclusion solutions in the minerals of Au-Sb deposits together with mineralogical and geochemical data show that Au-Sb deposits were formed by two types of solutions: neutral–weak alkaline (CCl < 5 wt % NaCl-eq.), and acid high concentrated chloride solution (up to 30 wt% NaCl-eq.), containing FeCl2 and CaCl2 besides NaCl. In low concentrated chloride solution Sb is transported as sulfide and hydroxide complexes, and Au and Ag as bihydrosulfide species. In acid high chloride solution of late superimposed stage, which contains Cu, Ag, Pb, and Zn, predominating Au and Ag species are chloride complexes, and for Sb chloride and hydroxy-complexes. The main factors determining geochemical specialization of Ag-Sb ore are high chloride concentration and pH = 3.5–4, determining low Au-bearing capacity of the solution. Unsaturated in Ag low concentrated chloride solutions took part in Au-Sb deposit forming that determines their specific composition.

We report on different types of optical clocks and passive frequency references which are under development in our laboratories: optical lattice clock based on the inner-shell transition in the Tm atom at λ = 1.14μm, optical ion clock on single 27Al+ ion, and a family of lasers referenced to ultra-stable ULE and cryogenic silicon cavities.

Silver deposits of the South Pamir region of Tajikistan occur as siderite veins with sulfosalts and sulfides, and formed during a late Mesozoic-early Alpine cycle of rifting and orogenesis. Three mineral-geochemical types of ore deposits that occur in several ore districts are recognized: Ag-Sb, Ag-Pb, and Ag-Hg. The Ag vein deposits all occur in terrigenous-carbonate sedimentary rocks and in intrusive granites. The veins are controlled by late Mesozoic faults, and are the products of the last endogenous event in the region. The most significant group of Ag-Sb vein deposits is located in the Bazardara ore district. Three stages of mineralization are recognized in this region: siderite-tetrahedrite, quartz-tetrahedrite, and quartz-galena-freibergite. Most of the veins were deposited during the first stage. Tetrahedrite is the prevailing and most economically important mineral, and contains 0.2 to 15.5% Ag. Associated freibergite contains from 19.5 to 32% Ag. Fluid-inclusion studies indicate that Ag-Sb ore ...

Ag-Sb deposits of a new economic district that occurs on the boundary of the southeastern Altay Republic of eastern Russia and northeast Mongolia are herein described. Mineralization of this region is divided into two periods—(1) Late Hercynian (Mo-W deposits) and (2) Mesozoic (Sn-W, as well as Ni-Co-As, Ag-Sb, and Sb-Hg deposits). The deposits of main economic interest, silver-antimony, consist of siderite-sulfosalt veins and vein zones that occur in contact-metamorphosed coal-bearing terrigenous rocks of Devonian age. These veins occur to depths of up to 900 m, and occur along strike for 3 to 3.5 km; their thicknesses range up to 12 m. The deposits are mineralogically and geochemically similar to silver deposits of the Yakutian, Pamir, Slovakian, Coeur D'Alene (USA), and Freiberg (Germany) ore districts. The main ore minerals are quartz, carbonate, and Ag-tetrahedrite, with minor chalcostibnite, chalcopyrite, bournonite, zinkenite, arsenopyrite, and pyrite. Sulfides are characterized by widespread isomo...