Phonon Dispersion Relations in NaCl

Abstract

Phonon dispersion relations in NaCl at 80°K have been determined in the crystallographic [100], [101], and [111] symmetry directions using inelastic neutron scattering. Some measurements have also been made at 300°K, and at (1.0, 0.5, 0) in reciprocal space. The results are compared with theoretical calculations: those of Karo and Hardy for their "deformed-dipole" model, those of Schröder and Nüsslein for a "breathing-shell" model, and those of Caldwell and Klein for a shell model. Satisfactory agreement is obtained in many places, but significant discrepancies still remain, particularly close to the zone boundaries. Comparison is also made with earlier x-ray work on NaCl. The work was performed on a new crystal spectrometer at the R2 reactor at Studsvik, which is equipped with a two-crystal monochromator.