Lattice dynamics of LiNb₁-ₗTaₗO₃ solid solutions: Theory and experiment

Lithium niobate (LNO) and lithium tantalate (LTO) see widespread use in fundamental research and commercial technologies reaching from electronics over classical optics to integrated quantum communication. In recent years, the mixed crystal system lithium niobate tantalate (LNT) allows for the dedicate engineering of material properties by combining the advantages of the two parental materials LNO and LTO. Vibrational spectroscopies such as Raman spectroscopy or (Fourier transform) infrared spectroscopy are vital techniques to provide detailed insight into the material properties, which is central to the analysis and optimization of devices. In this work, we present a joint experimental-theoretical approach allowing to unambiguously assign the spectral features in the LNT material family through both Raman and IR spectroscopy, as well as to provide an in-depth explanation for the observed scattering efficiencies based on first-principles calculations. The phononic contribution to the static dielectric tensor is calculated from the experimental and theoretical data using the generalized Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation and compared with the results of the first-principles calculations. The joint methodology can be readily expanded to other materials and serves, e.g., as the basis for studying the role of point defects or doping.