Raman spectra of rubidium nitrate: Relationship between disordered solid phases and the molten state

The Raman spectra of the four solid phases and the molten phase of rubidium nitrate have been recorded. The spectra of the melt and the three solid phases in which anion disorder is present all showed a depolarized wing on the exciting line which could be identified as due to anisotropy scattering. The lattice mode features in the disordered solid phases were not sharp but consisted of a broad band. The internal frequencies showed systematic variations which have been related to coulombic interactions and site symmetry effects.