Evidence of phonon-charge-density-waves coupling in ErTe$_3$

Abstract

The vibrational properties of ErTe$_3$ were investigated using Raman spectroscopy and analyzed on the basis of peculiarities of the RTe$_3$ crystal structure. Four Raman active modes for the undistorted structure, predicted by factor-group analysis, are experimentally observed and assigned according to diperiodic symmetry of the ErTe$_3$ layer. By analyzing temperature dependence of the Raman mode energy and intensity we have provided the clear evidence that all Raman modes, active in the normal phase, are coupled to the charge density waves. In addition, new modes have been observed in the distorted state.