Is it possible to use spectroscopy to see vibrations in a material?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of using spectroscopy to observe vibrations in materials, specifically focusing on phonons and various spectroscopic techniques. The scope includes theoretical considerations and applications of different spectroscopy methods in material science.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reflects on the concept of phonons in relation to physical vibrations caused by walking on concrete, questioning their understanding of the term.
  • Another participant mentions that neutrons can be used to investigate phonon spectra in materials.
  • Several participants note that techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) are employed to measure phonon spectroscopy in materials, with specific mention of their ability to show vibrational frequencies and optical absorption edges in semiconductors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relevance of various spectroscopic techniques to measure phonon-related properties in materials, but there is no consensus on the initial conceptualization of phonons as raised by the first participant.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions and applications of phonons and spectroscopy techniques may be implicit in the discussion. The relationship between different spectroscopic methods and their specific capabilities is not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in material science, spectroscopy techniques, and the study of phonons may find this discussion relevant.

JoAuSc
Messages
197
Reaction score
1
As I was walking to work yesterday, I thought about how each step I took on the concrete sidewalk spread phonons out in all directions. (Let me know if I'm misusing the term phonons.) Which brought me to the question in the title.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Neutrons are used to investigate phonon spectra in materials.
 
Raman, FTIR, and several other optical conductivity experiments all measure the phonon spectroscopy of materials.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Raman, FTIR, and several other optical conductivity experiments all measure the phonon spectroscopy of materials.

Zz.

Absolutely, FTIR will show the optical absorption edge in many semiconductors, Raman will help to measure the vibrational frequencies of bonds in materials.
 

Similar threads

High School How does lattice vibration affect electron mobility in semiconductor?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Does amorphous solids support phonons or nomal modes of vibration.?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Undergrad Issues in understanding screening effects in the Jellium model
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad Effective Hamiltonian to Rotational Term Values
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Undergrad Where do the vibrational modes of molecules come from?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad What areas of nano/optical research applies to astrophysics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate How Does Group Theory Aid in Predicting Vibrational Modes in Spectroscopy?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Graduate Brittleness and material behaviours
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Waterfall plot of an PMSM
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Graduate Understanding molecular absorption of light (UV-Vis spectroscopy)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K