Effect of temperature and pressure on the raman spectrum of As4S3

The Raman spectrum of crystalline As₄S₃ has been investigated as a function of temperature from 4 to 430 K at ambient pressure, and as a function of pressure to 70 kbar at ambient temperature. The external mode frequencies which appear clearly separated from the internal modes exhibit stronger pressure and temperature sensitivity compared to the latter modes. At the β-As₄S₃ to α-As₄S₃ phase transition near 410 K, the external modes change discontinuously indicating a first-order phase transition. The internal mode frequencies remain practically unaffected. The $\text{dv}\text{dP}$ and $\text{dv}\text{dT}$ data are analyzed using well established approaches. Application of non-hydrostatic pressure (>60 kbar) appears to destroy the crystallinity of As₄S₃.