DISPERSION RELATIONS FOR PHONONS IN MAGNESIUM FLUORIDE

Abstract

The lattice dynamics of magnesium fluoride have been investigated theoretically. The group theoretical method is used to decompose the dynamical secular equation at the center of the Brillouin zone. In order to get the expressions for all the infrared-active transverse and longitudinal modes, it is necessary to decompose the secular equation for the wave vector approaching zero along the two nonequivalent crystallographic axes, say y and z, of the crystal. Analysis of the results shows that a rigid ion model of the crystal with axially symmetric forces can provide qualitative agreement with the observed frequencies appearing in Raman and infrared absorption. The ions in the crystal are found to retain 70% of their charges, showing thereby the ionic character of the crystal. The dispersion relations for normal modes of vibration propagating along the (0 0 qz) and (0 qy 0) directions have been evaluated.