Vibrational properties of CdGa2S4 at high pressure

Abstract

Raman scattering measurements have been performed in cadmium digallium sulphide (CdGa2S4) with defect chalcopyrite structure up to 25 GPa in order to study its pressure-induced phase transitions. These measurements have been complemented and compared with lattice-dynamics ab initio calculations including the TO-LO splitting at high pressures in order to provide a better assignment of experimental Raman modes. In addition, experimental and theoretical Grüneisen parameters have been reported in order to calculate the molar heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient of CdGa2S4. Our measurements provide evidence that CdGa2S4 undergoes an irreversible phase transition above 15 GPa to a Raman-inactive phase, likely with a disordered rock salt structure. Moreover, the Raman spectrum observed on downstroke from 25 GPa to 2 GPa has been attributed to a new phase, tentatively identified as a disordered zinc blende structure, that undergoes a reversible phase transition to the Raman-inactive phase above 10 GPa.