Perovskite
A calcium titanium oxide found in the oldest inclusions in chondrites and giving its name to a family of structures.
Key facts
- Formula
- CaTiO3
- Family
- Oxides
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
What it is
Perovskite is an oxide of calcium and titanium. Its structure, in which small metal atoms sit inside frameworks of oxygen, is shared by many materials, from bridgmanite in Earth's mantle to modern solar cell materials. It is named after the Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski.
Where it is found
In meteorites it occurs as small grains in CAIs of CV and CM chondrites, often surrounded by melilite and spinel. It concentrates rare earth elements and uranium and is used to study the earliest high-temperature processes.
How it is recognised
It forms tiny, dark brown to black grains with high relief. It is identified by its chemistry with a microprobe.
Did you know?
The perovskite structure is used in some of the most efficient experimental solar cells.
Perovskite in CAIs often has titanium-rich rims of other minerals that formed as it reacted with the cooling gas.