Inelastic light scattering in the Eu chalcogenides and in YbTe

First-order inelastic light scattering exhibiting broad linewidths and multiphonon lines has been measured in the magnetically ordering EuO, EuSe, and EuTe as well as in the diamagnetic YbTe. Whereas the light scattering of EuSe is similar to that of the earlier investigated EuS, we find that EuO, EuTe, and YbTe exhibit in part an anomalous behaviour. We conclude, that the inelastic broad-line light scattering found in these compounds cannot be explained by Raman theory. Instead, we suggest that this light scattering is better characterized by a recombination process.