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.     

Laser-induced Raman scattering in calcium titanate

The Raman spectrum of polycrystalline calcium titanate prepared by a liquid mix technique and heated to 800°C has been recorded at room temperature using an argon-ion laser as exciter. The observed spectrum was interpreted on the basis of factor-group C_2V. Not all of the Raman active modes predicted by factor group analysis were observed and this could be due to: over-lapping of bands, or very low polarizabilities of some of the modes or masking of the weak bands by intense bands. The band at 639 cm^?1 is tentatively assigned to the TiO symmetric stretching vibration (γ₁) and the bands at 495 and 471 cm^?1 to torsional modes. The bands in the region 180–340 cm^?1 are assigned to the OTiO bending modes and the 155 cm^?1 band to the Ca(TiO₃) lattice mode. The observed Raman bands are compared with the available infrared absorption data and, as expected, some coincidences in frequencies are seen for this compound with a noncentrosymmetric structure.     

Raman spectroscopy studies of antiferromagnetic FeCO3 and related carbonates

Raman spectroscopy experiments were performed on antiferromagnetic siderite (natural FeCO₃). Weak lines at room temperature (in addition to the expected vibrational lines) were found to be seven well defined excitations at liquid helium temperature. Polarization tensor components of these new lines were examined at temperatures varying between room and liquid helium temperature. Frequency decreases upon cooling were observed for three of the lines (the greatest change occuring near the Néel temperature, 38 K). By comparison with infrared spectra, variable temperature Raman spectra and impurity analysis of two related crystals (antiferromagnetic MnCO₃ and CaMg(CO₃)₂ containing 6% iron), new explanations for two (741 and 1735 cm^?1) of three previously observed lines and for one (870cm^?1) of the remaining four are presented. The three variable frequency lines (440,1175 and 1225 cm^?1) are considered magnetic excitations between trigonal field, spin-orbit, and exchange split states of the ferrous ion. The frequency decreases upon cooling may be due to unquenched orbital angular momentum resulting in an exchange interaction of a non-Heisenberg form. Symmetry distortion due to magnetic ordering upon cooling may cause the infrared 741 cm^?1 vibration to become Raman-active.     

Infrared study of superlattice formation in Ti1+xSe2

Infrared reflectivity measurements have been made on two Ti_1+xSe₂ crystals of different stoichiometry over the range 200 cm^?1 to 4000 cm^?1 before and after the formation of a 2a_o × 2c_o superlattice. In both crystals at room temperature a heavily damped Drude edge is observed at about 1000 cm^?1. At liquid helium temperatures, below the phase transition, the Drude minimum of a non-stoichiometric crystal ($\text{x ? 0.02, T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{= 155 K}$) is at 750 cm^?1 whereas the low temperature minimum of a more stoichiometric sample (T_c = 198 K) is below 350 cm^?1. Also, new absorption peaks are seen to develop below T_c at about 3700 cm^?1 and 3300 cm^?1 for the non- stoichiometric and stoichiometric-crystals respectively. The observed phenomena are related to the energy gaps which open up in the band structure below the phase transition temperature.     

Raman scattering in K2Pt(CN)4Br0.3 · 3H2O

Raman scattering experiments on K₂Pt(CN)₄Br_0.3 · 3H₂O are reported between 5 and 300 K as a function of temperature. A line of A₁ symmetry detected at 44 cm^?1 shows interesting temperature dependent properties. It is concluded from a comparison of the frequency, symmetry, and scattering intensity of this line with theoretical predictions that the excitation concerned represents the amplitude mode of the charge density wave (the line observed in infrared absorption being the phase mode). No Peierls transition is observed, but the results are consistent with a Peierls distortion present at all temperatures. The findings are correlated with inelastic neutron scattering and infrared studies. Finally, the CN stretching modes at 2189 and 2173 cm^?1 and the water mode at 3490 cm^?1 are studied as a function of temperature.     

Vibrational study of squaric acid

Infrared and Raman spectra of polycrystalline squaric acid and its deuterated derivative have been investigated at various temperatures in the 3600–30 cm^-1 range. Two infrared active lattice modes have been identified at 230 and 125 cm^?1 in the spectra at room temperature phase. A new assignment of some intramolecular vibrations involving OH and CO group is proposed. The behaviour of intramolecular and lattice bands as a function of temperature and phase transition is discussed.     

Raman scattering in (SN)x crystals

Polarized Raman spectra are reported for the high frequency intrachain modes in crystals of the metallic polymer (SN)_x. The principal features observed (at 454, 621, 658 and 782 cm^?1) are strong, very anisotropic, and sharper than in thin films. The strongest feature, at 658 cm^?1, narrows but does not shift with decreasing temperature or increasing pressure. Some of the peaks vary in relative intensity as the laser frequency is varied from 4579 to 6005 Å through the plasma resonance.     

An Infrared Study of Conformational Isomerism in Cyclohexyl Iodide

Abstract

A comprehensive solvent, concentration, and temperature study has been made of the 850 to 400 cm^?1 region of the infrared spectrum of cyclohexyl iodide. This causes us to reject the assignment of Larnaudie and of Chiurdoglu and Reisse of v(C-I)_eq at 654 cm^?1 and v(C-I)^ax at 638 cm^?1, and to suggest that the two modes are almost coincident in n-hexane solution at 656.2 cm^?1 (eq) and 655.6 cm^?1 (ax).     

Vibrational spectra of a GaS single crystal

The Raman and infrared active long wavelength phonons of a GaS single crystal were studied at different temperatures in the 10–600 cm^?1 range. Properly polarized Raman spectra could be obtained with the 4880 Å exciting line and the previous assignment of the E_1g modes controversed recently could be confirmed. Infrared spectra were recorded in the 30–600 cm^?1 region. The vibrational frequencies of the crystal were also calculated using a method developed by Wieting and six new frequencies corresponding to infrared and Raman inactive modes have been proposed.We have observed that the degree of leakage of scattered intensity in unallowed polarizations increases when the wavelength of the exciting line moves off the exciton absorption front. The phonon at 74 cm^?1 was particularly sensitive and the question of the antiresonant behaviour of this compound is raised.     

On the pyroelectricity of DKDP single crystals and PZT-40 ceramics at 1.5–30 K

By analyzing experimental data, the lowest modes that are responsible for pyroelectricity in DKDP single crystals (87.3 and 201.6 cm^?1) and in PZT-40 ferroelectric ceramics (20.7, 54.75, and 171.3 cm^?1) are determined. A set of physical mechanisms that occur in real polar dielectrics that are piroelectrically active in the temperature range 0–30 K is discussed; and methods of their identification, separation, and determination of quantitative characteristics for each component of spontaneous polarization are shown.     

Ammonium dynamics in the disorder a-phase of K1- x (NH4) x Y (Y=Cl,Br, I). a neutron scattering study

Temperature and concentration effects on the lattice parameters and the amplitude weighted phonon density of states (AWPDS) in the mixed salts of ammonium-potassium halides were investigated by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and incoherent inelastic scattering (IINS). In the disorder α-phase (NaCl type), ammonium ions perform a fast stochastic reorientation at phonon frequencies rate, down to ca. 80 K. The IINS spectra at 10 K displayed the four distinct ammonium excitations, two (resonant) modes below and two (localised) above the cut-off frequency of the AWPDS of potassium halides. The high frequency localised modes correspond to the translational and librational vibrations of NH₄ ions. These modes are typical for ordered phases of ammonium halides. Ammonium concentration effects on the localised and resonant modes were studied for the K_{1? x} (NH₄) _x I mixed salts and the harmonic excitations of ammonium in the hypothetical low temperature α-phase of NH₄I were approximated to ca. 30, 95, 155 and 250 cm^?1. In the real low temperature ordered γ-phase of NH₄I, translational ammonium vibrations were observed at ca. 140-160 cm^?1 and librational at ca. 300 cm^?1.     

The adsorption of ammonia on a Fe(110) single crystal surface studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)

EELS spectra of ammonia adsorbed on a Fe(110) single crystal surface at 120 K reveal four different molecular adsorption states:1. At very low exposures (0.05 L) three vibrational losses at 345 cm^?1, 1170 and 3310 cm^?1 are observed which are attributed to the symmetric Fe-N stretching-, N-H₃ deformation and N-H₃ stretching modes of chemisorbed molecular ammonia, respectively. The observation of only three vibrational losses indicates an adsorption complex of high symmetry (C_3v).2. Further exposures up to 0.5 L cause the appearance of additional losses at 1450 cm^?1, 1640 cm^?1 and 3370 cm^?1. The latter two are interpreted as the degenerate NH₃ deformation and - stretching modes of molecularly adsorbed NH₃. The 1450 cm^?1 loss is a combination of the losses at 345 cm^?1 and 1105 cm^?1. The observation of 5 vibrational losses is consistent with an adsorption complex of C_s symmetry.3. In the exposure range from 0.5 to 2 L adsorption of molecular ammonia in a second layer is observed. This phase is characterized by a symmetric deformation mode at 1190 cm^?1 and by two additional very intense modes at 160 cm^?1 and 350 cm^?1 which are due to rotational and translational modes.4. Exposures above 2 L cause multilayer condensation of ammonia characterized by translational and rotational bands at 190 cm^?1, 415 cm^?1 and 520 cm^?1, and a symmetric deformation mode at 1090 cm^?1. A broad loss feature around 3300 cm^?1 is attributed to hydrogen bonding in the condensed layer.Thermal processing of a Fe(110) surface ammonia covered at 120 K leads to decomposition of the ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen above 260 K. No vibrational modes due to adsorbed NH or HN₂ species were detected.     

Raman study of squaric acid

Raman spectra of squaric acid have been measured at various temperatures below and above the transition temperature. Six low frequency bands below 300 cm^?1 are assigned to translational and librational modes of the squaric molecule on the basis of the recent crystal determination by X-ray diffraction. A discussion is given of the striking temperature dependence of these external modes in the ordered phase in connection with the phase transition.     

High-temperature soft phonon behaviour in PLZT 8/65/35 relaxor ferroelectrics

Polar phonons in infrared spectra of (Pb_0.88La_{0.08 0.04})(Zr_0.65Ti_0.35)O₃ ceramics and thin films exhibit similar behaviour. Each phonon allowed in perfect cubic lattice is split not only below the Burns temperature T _B = 620 K, where it can be explained with breaking of cubic symmetry in polar nanoclusters, but also above T _B. We explain it with two chemical species at both A and B perovskite sites. The E component of the soft mode remains heavily damped at all temperatures and its frequency near 35 cm^?1 is almost temperature-independent. The A₁ component of the soft mode remarkably hardens below T* ≈ 500 K from 50 to 85 cm^?1 and moreover a new mode activates in IR spectra below 300 K at frequencies between A₁ and E soft modes. Based on comparison with other relaxors, we conclude that such behaviour is general for all relaxor ferroelectrics with perovskite structure.     

Synthesis of Ge-Sn at high pressure and high temperature in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell

Ge–Sn compound is predicted to be a direct band gap semiconductor with a tunable band gap. However, the bulk synthesis of this material by conventional methods at ambient pressure is unsuccessful due to the poor solubility of Sn in Ge. We report the successful synthesis of Ge–Sn in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC) at ~7.6 GPa &; ~2000 K. In situ Raman spectroscopy of the sample showed, apart from the characteristic Raman modes of Ge TO (Г) and β-Sn TO (Г), two additional Raman modes at ~225 cm^?1 (named Ge–Sn₁) and ~133 cm^?1 (named Ge–Sn₂). When the sample was quenched, the Ge–Sn₁ mode remained stable at ~215 cm^?1, whereas the Ge–Sn₂ mode had diminished in intensity. Comparing the Ge–Sn Raman mode at ~225 cm^?1 with the one observed in thin film studies, we interpret that the observed phonon mode may be formed due to Sn-rich Ge–Sn system. The additional Raman mode seen at ~133 cm^?1 suggested the formation of low symmetry phase under high P–T conditions. The results are compared with Ge–Si binary system.     

Electronic Absorption Spectra of Some Fluoroaminotoluenes

Abstract

The near ultraviolet absorption spectra of 2-fluoro-5-amino-; 3-fluoro-4-amino-, 3-fluoro-6-amino-and 4-fluoro-2-aminotoluene have been investigated in vapour phase. The strongest band appearing at 2887.5 Å (34621 cm^?1), 2966.1 Å (33704 cm^?1), 3026. 7 Å (33029 cm^?1) and 2891.4 Å (34575 cm^?1) in the respective molecules has been identified as the 0,0 band. All the bands have been analysed in terms of some ground and excited state fundamentals. The assignment of the fundamental frequencies to the probable modes of vibration have also been discussed.     

Raman scattering in dried DNA and crystalline amino acids

Raman spectrum characteristics of dried deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and two types of crystalline amino acids (L-lysine, D-asparagine) are compared in a wide range of frequencies, including the regions of lattice (7 to 200 cm^?1) and intramolecular (200 to 4000 cm^?1) vibrations. It is found that the spectral position of the low-frequency band in the Raman spectrum of DNA with a peak near 26 cm^?1 correlates with the Raman spectrum of high-Q low-frequency modes that manifest themselves in the crystalline amino acids under investigation. The low-frequency band of DNA refers to a twist-like vibrational mode of nucleobases. The intensities of this DNA mode and the high-Q lattice modes of the crystalline amino acids L-lysine and D-asparagine are several times as high as those of the Raman lines corresponding to the intramolecular modes. Resonant coupling of low-frequency modes of DNA and amino acid molecular chains is analyzed.     

Raman spectra of cadmium titanate

Polarized Raman spectra of CdTiO₃ single crystals are recorded for the first time over the frequency range 5 < ν < 1000 cm^?1 at temperatures of 10 to 1200 K. The emphasis was on the low-frequency range, where an anomalous temperature dependence of a few phonon modes was observed. At high temperatures, four phonon modes exhibiting a behavior typical of soft modes were found to exist. These phonon modes are assumed to restore the cubic symmetry of the lattice. Their extrapolated temperature dependences suggest that there exists a sequence of three hypothetical high-temperature phase transitions analogous to those observed in the genuine perovskite CaTiO₃. At temperatures below 78 K, the Raman spectrum exhibits new lines associated with polar distortions of the unit cell. At low frequencies, three lines are observed whose parameters exhibit an anomalous behavior typical of soft modes in a ferroelectric phase. Several different polar states are assumed to exist at low temperatures.     

Optic-mode coupling in ferroelectric gadolinium molybdate

Separate measurements of the A₁(TO) and A₁(LO) Raman spectra of ferroelectric gadolinium molybdate at 80°K and above have elucidated the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of the two lowest frequency lines in the A₁(TO) spectrum. The observed behavior is postulated to be the result of coupling among modes at 44.5, 51.5, and 83 cm^?1 (at 80°K). The 44.5 and 83 cm^?1 modes become the degenerate, soft zone-boundary modes of the paraelectric phase while the 51.5 cm^?1 mode changes to B₂ symmetry. The two lowest frequency lines are the same as those observed previously in i.r. absorption.     

Raman spectroscopy of RuSr2(Eu1.5Ce0.5)Cu2O10 magneto-superconductor

Raman spectroscopy studies are reported for the RuSr₂Eu_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O₁₀ (Ru-1222) compound at various temperatures of 300, 250, 200 and 90 K. Three distinct vibrational bands: the first at 110, 140, and 160 cm⁻¹, the second at 295 and 347 cm⁻¹, and third one at 651 cm⁻¹ are seen in Raman spectra of the compound at room temperature. These bands are attached to the Cu atoms’ c-direction, the Ru atoms’ ab-plane stretching and Ru atoms’ c-direction anti-stretching modes. Below 200 K, an extra vibrational mode is also seen at 260 cm⁻¹. Also, with a decrease in temperature, though the Cu vibrational modes remain intact, the Ru atoms’ ab-plane stretching (295 cm⁻¹) and c-direction anti-stretching (651 cm⁻¹) modes shift gradually to higher wave number positions. The frequencies of modes at 260 and 651 cm⁻¹ showed anomalous softening and line-width broadening below 100 K that corroborates well with the spin ordering seen in susceptibility studies. The studied compound is a ferromagnetic superconductor with magnetic ordering of the Ru spins at 200 K and superconductivity below 30 K. A magnetic and electrical transport characterization of the compound is also presented briefly.