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Backward/near-forward Raman scattering and ab initio Raman/phonon calculations are combined, together with x-ray diffraction and ellipsometry measurements to further inform the debate on the compact phonon behavior of the II–VI Cd1−xZnxTe alloy. The compacity favors the coupling of polar optic modes in both the transverse and longitudinal symmetries via the related (E L , T ) long-wave electric fields. The E L -coupling achieves maximum in the Zn-dilute limit, which enhances the (upper) ZnTe-like (impurity) mode at the expense of the (lower) CdTe-like (matrix-like) one, leaving the impression of a unique {Cd-Te,Zn−Te}-mixed longitudinal optic (LO) phonon across most of the composition domain. However, the purely mechanical (non-polar) transverse optic (PM-TO) phonons, that hardly couple, reveal an underlying three-mode {1 × (Cd-Te),2 × (Zn-Te)} fine structure that distinguishes between Zn–Te vibrations in Zn- and Cd-like environments up to second neighbors. Further refinement arises by exploring the phonon–polariton (i.e., polar-TO) regime at large Zn content. On reducing the scattering angle, the E T -coupling develops into a sequential softening of phonon–polaritons from ZnTe- down to CdTe-like ones, which transiently unveils a bimodal pattern behind the Cd–Te signal. Altogether, this results in a (rare) canonical four-mode {2 × (Cd-Te),2 × (Zn-Te)} percolation pattern for Cd1−xZnxTe, i.e., a close II–VI replica of the twin III−V In1−xGaxAs one—yet differing by two apparent LO modes and a sensitivity of bond vibrations limited to first-neighbors. Retrospectively, the difference in sensitivity of bond vibrations to the local environment between In1−xGaxAs (limited to first neighbors) and Cd1−xZnxTe (extending up to second neighbors) emerges as a rule throughout common (covalent) III–V and (ionic) II–VI semiconductor alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses a study on the lattice vibrations of GaAs1−xPx semiconductor alloys using far-infrared ellipsometry. The study reveals separate phonon bands for Ga-As and Ga-P, with a fine structure in the Ga-P band. Two models, the cluster model and the percolation model, have been proposed to explain this fine structure. The authors aim to design an improved version of the percolation model to accurately explain the phonon behavior of GaAs1−xPx. The article provides a brief overview of the cluster model and the percolation model and discusses the limitations of the cluster model in explaining the phonon spectra of random GaAs1−xPx. The authors focus on the infrared-ellipsometry data provided by Zollner et al. to develop an improved version of the percolation model. The article concludes that the phonon behavior of GaAs1−xPx remains unexplained and further research is needed. The document also discusses the development of a second-neighbor version of the phonon model (PM) for random GaAs1−xPx alloys, which is based on the sensitivity of Ga–P vibrations to the local environment and is supported by ab initio calculations. The document compares the PM to other models and tests the impact of deviating from the ideally random substitution. The work was supported by various institutions and funding programs. [Extracted from the article]

Raman scattering and ab initio Raman/phonon calculations, supported by X-ray diffraction, are combined to study the vibrational properties of Zn1−xBexTe under pressure. The dependence of the Be–Te (distinct) and Zn–Te (compact) Raman doublets that distinguish between Be- and Zn-like environments is examined within the percolation model with special attention to x ~ (0,1). The Be-like environment hardens faster than the Zn-like one under pressure, resulting in the two sub-modes per doublet getting closer and mechanically coupled. When a bond is so dominant that it forms a matrix-like continuum, its two submodes freely couple on crossing at the resonance, with an effective transfer of oscillator strength. Post resonance the two submodes stabilize into an inverted doublet shifted in block under pressure. When a bond achieves lower content and merely self-connects via (finite/infinite) treelike chains, the coupling is undermined by overdamping of the in-chain stretching until a «phonon exceptional point» is reached at the resonance. Only the out-of-chain vibrations «survive» the resonance, the in-chain ones are «killed». This picture is not bond-related, and hence presumably generic to mixed crystals of the closing-type under pressure (dominant over the opening-type), indicating a key role of the mesostructure in the pressure dependence of phonons in mixed crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]