Phonon dynamics of the geometrically frustrated pyrochlore Y2 Ru2 O7 investigated by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

We investigate temperature-dependent Raman spectra of the geometrically frustrated pyrochlore Y2 Ru2 O7, which shows a spin-glass-like transition at TG ∼80 K. Three discernable phonons appear around 315, 410, and 510 cm-1 without any abrupt change in the number of Raman-active modes within the temperature range of 10- 300 K. Fitting each phonon with Lorentz oscillators, we examine the effects of temperature on phonon dynamics, in terms of the phonon frequency and the linewidth. The temperature dependence of the mode near 510 cm-1 shows abnormal behavior below TG, while the other two phonons follow the usual thermal effect. This behavior can be understood in terms of spin-phonon coupling. Considering the atomic modulations of the phonon mode showing abnormal behavior, the 510- cm-1 phonon mode is isotropically coupled to the spin degree of freedom, while the other modes are not. © 2006 The American Physical Society.