Infrared properties of $θ$-type ET charge-transfer salts: $θ$-ET$_2$CsZn(SCN)$_4$ vs $θ$-ET$_2$RbZn(SCN)$_4$

Abstract

We performed polarized far-infrared reflectance measurements at different temperatures on $θ$-ET$_2$RbZn(SCN)$_4$ and $θ$-ET$_2$CsZn(SCN)$_4$, two typical charge-transfer salts in a series of isostructural $θ$-ET$_2$MM'(SCN)$_4$. The measurements revealed distinct differences in both electronic and vibronic spectra, which provides a clue towards understanding the different metal-insulator transitions of the two salts.