Raman scattering in amorphous boron

Raman scattering measurements have been performed at room temperature in thin film evaporated amorphous B and B_0.91C_0.09. The amorphous B spectrum indicates density of states features similar to those observed in infrared absorption as well as lower frequency scattering attributed to acoustic plus optic-like modes. The addition of C to amorphous B broadens the spectrum and shifts the lowest frequency peak to higher frequencies. A comparison of the amorphous B and broadened crystalline β-B Raman spectra indicates a number of similarities in peak frequencies that are consistent with similar short range order in both materials.