Raman scattering in rare earths tetraborides

•Raman spectra of numerous RE-tetraborides.•Monotonic variation of the phonon frequencies in accordance with unit cell volumes.•Identification of octahedral and metal vibrations.•Lower strength of the force parameters compared with tetraborides.

The Raman spectra of single crystalline RE (rare earth) tetraborides REB4 (RE = Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu) are measured and analysed with respect to the dependence of the phonon frequencies on the rare earth metal. Phonons representing octahedral B6 units are identified by comparison to the according phonon modes of hexaborides. Their relative force parameters are estimated.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide