Raman scattering from soft to-phonon in IV–VI compound semiconductors

The soft TO-phonon modes were investigated below the cubic-rhombohedral transition temperature in Pb_1?xGe_xTe (x=0.05) and SnTe. We observed resolved Raman spectra from ordinary and extraordinary modes. The temperature dependence of the spectra was analyzed in terms of phonon-phonon interactions. We also discussed origins of extra Raman spectra which appear even in the high temperature phase. The energy gain of valence bonding electrons due to lattice distortions was estimated to be ≈10⁹erg/cm³ by analyzing anomalous temperature behavior of the optical dielectric constant. This is about two order of magnitude larger than the depth of the well of free energy.