Monazite-(La) | |
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General | |
Category | Phosphate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | LaPO4 |
IMA symbol | Mnz-La[1] |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic: 2/m |
Space group | P21/n |
Unit cell | a = 6.84, b = 7.07, c = 6.45 [Å]; β = β = 103.85◦ |
Identification | |
References | [2][3] |
Monazite-(La) is a relatively rare representative of the monazite group, with lanthanum being the dominant rare earth element in its structure. As such, it is the lanthanum analogue of monazite-(Ce), monazite-(Nd), and monazite-(Sm). It is also the phosphorus analogue of gasparite-(La).[4] The group contains simple rare earth phosphate minerals with the general formula of ATO4, where A = Ce, La, Nd, or Sm (or, rarely, Bi), and B = P or, rarely, As. The A site may also bear Ca and Th.[5]