Polariton effect on the IR spectroscopic properties of crystals with symmetric O•••H•••O hydrogen bonds

We propose a new approach to the band shape formation in crystals with strong symmetric hydrogen bonds. Our consideration is based on the assumption that the interaction between the incident light applied to the crystal and polarized optical photons is stronger than that between molecular excitations and the photons. In this case the formation of polaritons takes place and hence molecular excitations begin to interact with the polaritons. As a result, a new kind of correction to the absorption coefficient caused by the beam of the spectroscopic instrument appears. The complete band shape of the OH stretching band is computed. A comparison with the available experimental data is carried out. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.