Observation of a soft phonon in linear chain compound (NbSe4)3I by Raman scattering

The phase transition of the linear chain compound (NbSe₄)₃I was studied by Raman scattering. At 78 K three new peaks were observed at 73 cm^?1, 205 cm^?1 and 261 cm^?1. The totally symmetric Raman peak at 73 cm^?1 shows anomalous temperature dependence. The frequency decreases with increasing temperature, and at high temperatures an anticrossing occurs with another peak observed at about 58 cm^?1. The Raman intensity decreases and the linewidth broadens remarkably as the temperature increases. These properties allow us to assign this peak to a soft phonon. This fact indicates clearly the existence of a structural phase transition of a displacive type below room temperature.