An interpretation of the low-frequency spectrum of liquid water

The controversy concerning the microscopic mechanical interpretation of the main spectral features appearing in the low-frequency spectrum of liquid water (0–400 cm−1) at room temperature is addressed. Information obtained from molecular dynamics simulations indicates the connection of the highest frequency band of the low-frequency spectrum of liquid water at ambient conditions (centered around 170 cm−1) with the existence of the hydrogen-bond network characteristic of liquid water, whereas no relation to hydrogen bonding is found for the lowest frequency mode, located at 60 cm−1.