Carlsbergite
Chromium nitride, tiny plates found in the metal of iron meteorites.
Key facts
- Formula
- CrN
- Family
- Phosphides, carbides, nitrides and silicides
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- First described
- iron meteorites, 1971
Carlsbergite was described in 1971 from iron meteorites. It is named after the Carlsberg Foundation, which funded meteorite research in Copenhagen. It is known only from meteorites.
What it is
Carlsbergite is a nitride of chromium. It grows as tiny plates in iron metal as it cools, from the small amounts of nitrogen and chromium dissolved in it.
Where it is found
It occurs in many octahedrites, often inside kamacite near troilite and daubréelite, and in some enstatite chondrites.
How it is recognised
It forms microscopic plates, visible in polished section at high magnification, and is confirmed by analysis.
Did you know?
The Carlsberg Foundation is funded by the Danish brewery of the same name.
Vagn Buchwald, one of its discoverers, wrote a famous three-volume handbook of iron meteorites.