The crystal dynamics of cuprous halides

Abstract

The lattice dynamics of cuprous halides have been thoroughly investigated by means of an 8-parameter bond-bending force model (BBFM), recently developed and applied successfully to study phonons in various II–VI and III–V compound semiconductors having zinc-blende (ZB) structure. The application of BBFM is made to calculate the phonon dispersion relations, phonon density of states, and temperature variation of the Debye characteristic temperature [Formula: see text] of CuCl, CuBr, and CuI. The room-temperature neutron scattering measurements for phonon dispersion curves along three principal symmetry directions and calorimetric experimental data for the Debye characteristic temperature have been used to check the validity of BBFM for the three crystals. The overall good agreement between theoretical and experimental results supports its use as an appropriate model for the dynamical description of ZB crystals.