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Due to a legacy originating in the limited capability of early computers, the spectroscopic resolution used in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and other systems has largely been implemented using only powers of two for more than 50 years. In this study, we investigate debunking the spectroscopic lore of, e.g., using only 2, 4, 8, or 16 cm−1 resolution and determine the optimal resolution in terms of both (i) a desired signal-to-noise ratio and (ii) efficient use of acquisition time. The study is facilitated by the availability of solids and liquids reference spectral data recorded at 2.0 cm−1 resolution and is based on an examination in the 4000–400 cm−1 range of 61 liquids and 70 solids spectra, with a total analysis of 4237 peaks, each of which was also examined for being singlet/multiplet in nature. Of the 1765 liquid bands examined, only 27 had widths <5 cm−1. Of the 2472 solid bands examined, only 39 peaks have widths <5 cm−1. For both the liquid and solid bands, a skewed distribution of peak widths was observed: For liquids, the mean peak width was 24.7 cm−1 but the median peak width was 13.7 cm−1, and, similarly, for solids, the mean peak width was 22.2 cm−1 but the median peak width was 11.2 cm−1. While recognizing other studies may differ in scope and limiting the analysis to only room temperature data, we have found that a resolution to resolve 95% of all bands is 5.7 cm−1 for liquids and 5.3 cm−1 for solids; such a resolution would capture the native linewidth (not accounting for instrumental broadening) for 95% of all the solids and liquid bands, respectively. After decades of measuring liquids and solids at 4, 8, or 16 cm−1 resolution, we suggest that, when accounting only for intrinsic linewidths, an optimized resolution of 6.0 cm−1 will capture 91% of all condensed-phase bands, i.e., broadening of only 9% of the narrowest of bands, but yielding a large gain in signal-to-noise with minimal loss of specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystals of Na5RE4F[SiO4]4 (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm–Tm) and K5Pr4F[SiO4]4 were grown using a fluoride flux synthetic technique. All compositions crystallize in the tetragonal space group I4̅ with lattice parameter ranges of a = 11.5094(2)–12.3745(2) Å and c = 5.37000(10)–5.5011(2) Å. Antiferromagnetic ordering is observed for Na5RE4F[SiO4]4 (RE = Tb, Dy), second harmonic generation for Na5RE4F[SiO4]4 (RE = Pr, Sm–Ho), and intense optical properties and fluorescence quantum yield for Na5RE4F[SiO4]4 (RE = Eu, Gd, Tb). The crystal structures and physical property measurements are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of NaEu9(SiO4)6O2, Na1.5Eu8.5(SiO4)6OF, Na1.64Gd8.36(SiO4)6O0.72F1.28, Gd9.34(SiO4)6O2, Ca2.6Eu7.4(SiO4)6O1.4F0.6, Ca4.02Sm5.98(SiO4)6F2, and K1.32Pr8.68(SiO4)6O1.36F0.64 and powders of NaEu9(SiO4)6O2, Na1.5Eu8.5(SiO4)6OF, Eu9.34(SiO4)6O2, and Gd9.34(SiO4)6O2 were synthesized via flux growth in selected alkali-fluoride melts. All of the compounds adopt the apatite structure with space group P63/m. Luminescence and magnetic data were collected on NaEu9(SiO4)6O2, Na1.5Eu8.5(SiO4)6OF, Eu9.34(SiO4)6O2, and Gd9.34(SiO4)6O2. Luminescent data indicate that changing the cations and anions that surround the lanthanide site does not change the luminescent properties, making apatites versatile structures for optical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While 3d-containing materials display strong electron correlations, narrow band widths, and robust magnetism, 5d systems are recognized for strong spin–orbit coupling, increased hybridization, and more diffuse orbitals. Combining these properties leads to novel behavior. Sr3NiIrO6, for example, displays complex magnetism and ultra-high coercive fields—up to an incredible 55 T. Here, we combine infrared and optical spectroscopies with high-field magnetization and first-principles calculations to explore the fundamental excitations of the lattice and related coupling processes including spin–lattice and electron–phonon mechanisms. Magneto-infrared spectroscopy reveals spin–lattice coupling of three phonons that modulate the Ir environment to reduce the energy required to modify the spin arrangement. While these modes primarily affect exchange within the chains, analysis also uncovers important inter-chain motion. This provides a mechanism by which inter-chain interactions can occur in the developing model for ultra-high coercivity. At the same time, analysis of the on-site Ir4+ excitations reveals vibronic coupling and extremely large crystal field parameters that lead to a t2g-derived low-spin state for Ir. These findings highlight the spin–charge–lattice entanglement in Sr3NiIrO6 and suggest that similar interactions may take place in other 3d/5d hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their overall low energy scales, flexible molecular architectures, and ease of chemical substitution, molecule-based multiferroics are extraordinarily responsive to external stimuli and exhibit remarkably rich phase diagrams. Even so, the stability and microscopic properties of various magnetic states in close proximity to quantum critical points are highly under-explored in these materials. Inspired by these opportunities, we combined pulsed-field magnetization, first-principles calculations, and numerical simulations to reveal the magnetic field–temperature (B–T) phase diagram of multiferroic (NH4)2FeCl5⋅H2O. In this system, a network of intermolecular hydrogen and halogen bonds creates a competing set of exchange interactions that generates additional structure in the phase diagram—both in the vicinity of the spin flop and near the 30 T transition to the fully saturated state. Consequently, the phase diagrams of (NH4)2FeCl5⋅H2O and its deuterated analog are much more complex than those of other molecule-based multiferroics. The entire series of coupled electric and magnetic transitions can be accessed with a powered magnet, opening the door to exploration and control of properties in this and related materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In combination with other parameters, the real, n(ṽ), and imaginary, k(ṽ), components of the complex refractive index, n^=n+ik, can be used to simulate the optical properties of a material in different forms, e.g., its infrared spectra. Ultimately, such n/k values can be used to generate a database of synthetic reflectance spectra for the different morphologies to which experimental data can be compared. But obtaining reliable values of the optical constants n/k for solid materials is challenging due to the lack of optical quality specimens, usually crystals, large enough to measure. An alternative to crystals is to press the powder into a uniform disk. We have produced pellets from ammonium sulfate, (NH4)2SO4, powder and derived the pellets' n and k values via single-angle reflectance using a specular reflectance device in combination with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The single-angle technique measures amplitude of light reflected from the material as a function of wavelength over a wide spectral domain; the optical constants are determined from the reflectance data using the Kramers-Kronig relationship. We investigate several parameters associated with the pellets and pellet formation and their effects upon delivering the most reliable n/k values. Parameters studied include pellet diameter, mass, and density (void space), drying, grinding, sieving, and particle size in the pellet formation, as well as pressing pressure and duration. Of these parameters, using size-selected mixtures of dried, small (<50µm) particles and pressing at ≥10tons for at least 30min were found key to forming highly reflective samples. Comparison of two sets of previous literature n(ṽ) and k(ṽ) values obtained from crystalline (NH4)2SO4 both as crystal reflectance as well as extinction spectra of aerosols measured in a flow tube shows reasonable agreement, but suggests the present values, as confirmed from two independent techniques, represent a substantial improvement for n/k values for (NH4)2SO4, also demonstrating promise to measure the optical constants of other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We combined magnetoinfrared spectroscopy, magnetization, and lattice dynamics calculations to explore the phase transitions in multiferroic [(CH3)2NH2]Mn(HCOO)3. Both the 185 K ferroelectric transition and the magnetically driven transition to the fully saturated state at 15.3 T involve the formate bending mode, direct evidence of a common connection between the two types of ferroicities and for how lattice distortions promote high-temperature magnetoelectric coupling in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrations play a prominent role in magnetic relaxation processes of molecular spin qubits as they couple to spin states, leading to the loss of quantum information. Direct experimental determination of vibronic coupling is crucial to understand and control the spin dynamics of these nano-objects, which represent the limit of miniaturization for quantum devices. Herein, we measure the magneto-infrared properties of the molecular spin qubit system Na 9 [Ho(W 5 O 18 ) 2 ]·35H 2 O. Our results place significant constraints on the pattern of crystal field levels and the vibrational excitations allowing us to unravel vibronic decoherence pathways in this system. We observe field-induced spectral changes near 63 and 370 cm -1 that are modeled in terms of odd-symmetry vibrations mixed with f -manifold crystal field excitations. The overall extent of vibronic coupling in Na 9 [Ho(W 5 O 18 ) 2 ]·35H 2 O is limited by a modest coupling constant (on the order of 0.25) and a transparency window in the phonon density of states that acts to keep the intramolecular vibrations and M J levels apart. These findings advance the understanding of vibronic coupling in a molecular magnet with atomic clock transitions and suggest strategies for designing molecular spin qubits with improved coherence lifetimes.

In combination with other parameters, the real, n ( ṽ ∼ ), and imaginary, k ( ṽ ∼ ), components of the complex refractive index, n ^  =  n  + i k , can be used to simulate the optical properties of a material in different forms, e.g., its infrared spectra. Ultimately, such n/k values can be used to generate a database of synthetic reflectance spectra for the different morphologies to which experimental data can be compared. But obtaining reliable values of the optical constants n/k for solid materials is challenging due to the lack of optical quality specimens, usually crystals, large enough to measure. An alternative to crystals is to press the powder into a uniform disk. We have produced pellets from ammonium sulfate, (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , powder and derived the pellets' n and k values via single-angle reflectance using a specular reflectance device in combination with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The single-angle technique measures amplitude of light reflected from the material as a function of wavelength over a wide spectral domain; the optical constants are determined from the reflectance data using the Kramers-Kronig relationship. We investigate several parameters associated with the pellets and pellet formation and their effects upon delivering the most reliable n/k values. Parameters studied include pellet diameter, mass, and density (void space), drying, grinding, sieving, and particle size in the pellet formation, as well as pressing pressure and duration. Of these parameters, using size-selected mixtures of dried, small (<50 µm) particles and pressing at ≥10 tons for at least 30 min were found key to forming highly reflective samples. Comparison of two sets of previous literature n ( ṽ ∼ ) and k ( ṽ ∼ ) values obtained from crystalline (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 both as crystal reflectance as well as extinction spectra of aerosols measured in a flow tube shows reasonable agreement, but suggests the present values, as confirmed from two independent techniques, represent a substantial improvement for n/k values for (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , also demonstrating promise to measure the optical constants of other materials.

We bring together magnetization, infrared spectroscopy, and lattice dynamics calculations to uncover the magnetic field-temperature ( B- T) phase diagrams and vibrational properties of the [(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 ] M(HCOO) 3 ( M = Mn 2+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ ) family of multiferroics. While the magnetically driven transition to the fully saturated state in [(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 ]Mn(HCOO) 3 takes place at 15.3 T, substitution with Ni or Co drives the critical fields up toward 100 T, an unexpectedly high energy scale for these compounds. Analysis of the infrared spectrum of the Mn and Ni compounds across T C reveals doublet splitting of the formate bending mode which functions as an order parameter of the ferroelectric transition. By contrast, [(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 ]Co(HCOO) 3 reveals a surprising framework rigidity across the order-disorder transition due to modest distortions around the Co 2+ centers. The transition to the ferroelectric state is thus driven by the dimethylammonium cation freezing and the resulting hydrogen bonding. Under applied field, the Mn (and most likely, the Ni) compounds engage the formate bending mode to facilitate the transition to their fully saturated magnetic states, whereas the Co complex adopts a different mechanism involving formate stretching distortions to lower the overall magnetic energy. Similar structure-property relations involving substitution of transition-metal centers and control of the flexible molecular architecture are likely to exist in other molecule-based multiferroics.

Single crystals of NaEu(9)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), Na(1.5)Eu(8.5)(SiO(4))(6)OF, Na(1.64)Gd(8.36)(SiO(4))(6)O(0.72)F(1.28), Gd(9.34)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), Ca(2.6)Eu(7.4)(SiO(4))(6)O(1.4)F(0.6), Ca(4.02)Sm(5.98)(SiO(4))(6)F(2), and K(1.32)Pr(8.68)(SiO(4))(6)O(1.36)F(0.64) and powders of NaEu(9)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), Na(1.5)Eu(8.5)(SiO(4))(6)OF, Eu(9.34)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), and Gd(9.34)(SiO(4))(6)O(2) were synthesized via flux growth in selected alkali-fluoride melts. All of the compounds adopt the apatite structure with space group P6(3)/m. Luminescence and magnetic data were collected on NaEu(9)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), Na(1.5)Eu(8.5)(SiO(4))(6)OF, Eu(9.34)(SiO(4))(6)O(2), and Gd(9.34)(SiO(4))(6)O(2). Luminescent data indicate that changing the cations and anions that surround the lanthanide site does not change the luminescent properties, making apatites versatile structures for optical materials.