Structural transformations in a single‐crystal Rb2NaYF6: Raman scattering study

This paper reports Raman spectroscopy investigation of phase transitions in Rb₂NaYF₆ crystal. The experimental spectra were compared with the calculated one. The spectra were obtained in temperature range from 8 to 300 K. The Raman spectra shows anomalous temperature‐dependent behavior at T₁ = 154 and T₂ = 122 K. Soft mode restoration has been found, which allows us to attribute first transition at 154 K to displacive type. Detailed analysis temperature dependencies of the line positions and widths have been performed. We found no effects of possible lattice disorder anywhere, except narrow (about 20 K) range above the T₁ temperature. The Raman spectra of Rb₂NaYF₆ crystal have been obtained and analyzed under hydrostatic pressure up to 4.33 GPa (at T = 295 K). The high pressure experiment up to 4.33 GPa did not disclose any effects associated with phase transitions. The lattice vibration spectra were calculated up to 10 GPa. The calculation has been demonstrated that the Rb₂NaYF₆ does not undergo high pressure phase transition. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.