Optical phonon behavior of columbite MgNb2O6 single crystals

To explore potential applications, MgNb2O6 single crystal grown previously by optical floating zone method was used as a prototype for optical phonon behavior investigation. Polarized Raman spectra obtained in adequate parallel and crossed polarization were presented. All the obtained Raman modes were identified for the MgNb2O6, in good agreement with previous theory analysis. The selection rules of Raman for the columbite group were validated. Additionally, in-site temperature-dependent Raman spectra of MgNb2O6 were also investigated in the range from 83 to 803 K. The strong four A(g) phonon modes all exhibits red shift with the temperature increasing. But thermal expansion of spectra is sectional linear with inflection points at about 373 K. And the absolute value of d omega/dT at high temperature is higher than the one at lower temperature. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.