Some electrical and optical studies in CsCuCl3 crystals

The optical absorption spectra and some electrical properties of CsCuCl3single crystals have been studied in a wide temperature range. In the visible region the absorption is characterized by a dichroic charge transfer band. In the near infrared region three absorption bands are found at 8300, 10000, and 12900 cm−1 and are attributed to transitions between the levels of a Cu2+ ion in a tetragonally distorted cubic field. Both the dielectric constant and dielectric loss measurements indicate appreciable anomalies at the transition point, 423 K. Conductivity measurements indicate a clear first order transition with different activation energies in the low and high temperature phases.