Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Spectroscopic Investigations Of Complex Van Der Waals Systems, Sabine N. Neal

Doctoral Dissertations

Complex chalcogenides are superb platforms for revealing the interplay between structure, charge, and magnetism as well as the unusual states of matter that develop under external stimuli. These van der Waals solids can also be exfoliated into few- and single-layer sheets that sport a number of unexpected properties, including quantum confinement, magnetic excitations and size-induced magnetic states, and symmetry breaking. A commonality amongst sheet studies is the role of Raman scattering to assure sample quality, probe even-symmetry vibrational modes, and uncover single-layer properties. Odd-symmetry modes were, however, completely underexplored in few-layer materials. Infrared spectroscopy is well suited for examining the …