Chiral phonons in sixfold chiral CrSi$_2$: Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations

Abstract

Chiral phonons have been identified in several chiral crystals, primarily in those with trigonal symmetry and threefold screw axes. In this study, chiral phonons in CrSi$_2$, a chiral crystal with a sixfold helical structure, were investigated. Circularly polarized Raman spectroscopy revealed a subtle splitting of doubly degenerate $E_2$ phonon modes between cross-circular polarization configurations. These observations, supported by first-principles phonon calculations, indicate the presence of chiral phonons in CrSi$_2$, expanding the scope of materials that exhibit chiral vibrational modes beyond the conventional trigonal class.