Interpreting Dispersion Curve for Phonons & Other Atoms

In summary, dispersion curves of phonons show the allowed energies for various wavevectors and can also indicate lattice instability if negative frequencies are present. It is possible to calculate a phonon cross-section to determine which phonons are most easily observed, but this process is not well understood. Additionally, dispersion curves exist for other atomic properties such as electronic excitations and spin waves.
  • #1
kimmylsm
19
0
what can be interpret from dispersion curve of phonon?how to find whether a phonon can loose all its energy to a neutron from dispersion curves?are there dispersion curves for other atom apart from phonon?
 
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  • #2
kimmylsm said:
what can be interpret from dispersion curve of phonon?
The quanta of lattice vibrations are the phonons, and the dispersion tells what allowed energies exist for various wavevectors. Also, if it happens that you have negative (imaginary) frequencies, then this tells you that you have a lattice instability.

kimmylsm said:
how to find whether a phonon can loose all its energy to a neutron from dispersion curves?

AFAIK, all phonons can be excited by neutrons. You might be able to calculate a phonon cross-section to see what phonons will be most easily observed, but I don't know anything about how or if that is done.

kimmylsm said:
are there dispersion curves for other atom apart from phonon?

What do you mean? There's dispersion curves for electronic excitations (measured by ARPES), spin waves (measured by neutrons) and anything else which is k-dependent.
 
  • #3
thank very much.
 

Related to Interpreting Dispersion Curve for Phonons & Other Atoms

What is the purpose of interpreting dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms?

The purpose of interpreting dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms is to understand the behavior of atoms and molecules in different materials. By studying the dispersion curves, scientists can determine the types of vibrations and the energies associated with these vibrations. This information is crucial for understanding the thermal and mechanical properties of materials.

How are dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms obtained?

Dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms are obtained through experimental techniques such as inelastic neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. These techniques involve bombarding the material with a beam of particles or photons and measuring the energy and momentum of the scattered particles or photons. The resulting data is then used to construct the dispersion curve.

What information can be extracted from a dispersion curve?

A dispersion curve provides information about the types of vibrations present in a material and their corresponding energies. It also reveals the direction and speed of these vibrations, which can be used to determine the material's thermal and mechanical properties. Additionally, the dispersion curve can indicate the presence of defects or impurities in the material.

How does the dispersion curve differ for different types of materials?

The dispersion curve can differ for different types of materials based on their crystal structure, bonding types, and atomic mass. For example, materials with strong covalent bonds will have steeper dispersion curves than those with weaker metallic bonds. Additionally, materials with different crystal structures will exhibit different patterns in their dispersion curves.

What are some applications of interpreting dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms?

Interpreting dispersion curves for phonons and other atoms has numerous applications in materials science, including the development of new materials with specific thermal and mechanical properties, understanding the thermal conductivity of materials, and studying phase transitions in materials. It is also useful in fields such as nanotechnology and energy storage, where a thorough understanding of the behavior of atoms and molecules is crucial.

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