Knowledge Bank

We have investigated absorption spectra between 400 and $70cm-1$ of several ammonium and alkali phosphates, arsenates, and sulfates which have ferroelectric properties. The powdered samples were embedded in polyethylene films and recorded both above and below the Curie point. Bands between 120 and $140-1$ were observed with some of the compounds containing short hydrogen bonds having two potential minims. These bands are believed to be due to the transition between the split ground level of the OH oscillator.