Electrical, optical, and thermodynamical aspects of sound propagation in HgTe, HgSe, Hg1-xMnxSe, and MnZn spinel ferrites

Abstract

Sound velocity was measured in Hg1-xMnxSe semimagnetic semiconductor and Mn1-xZnxFe2O4 spinel ferrite, calculated for HgSe and HgTe, and related to existing data for ZnS structure-type materials. Useful systematics are established, and some of the unknown parameters of Hg1-xMnxSe anticipated. In addition, Hg1-xMnxSe and Mn1-xZnxFe2O4 were exposed to laser radiation in an attempt to relate sound velocity, Brillouin shift, and laser-beam-induced material breakdown. Interesting features were pointed out, as well as capabilities of opto-acoustic measurements to relate chemistry and elastic and magnetic properties of materials or help in the evaluation of infrared absorption spectra. Applicability and limitations of some conventional theories and empirical formulas are deduced.