Abstract
The Raman and Rayleigh scattering from single crystal Ni3B7O13I is reported at temperatures between about 6K and 295K. In the light of these results, the dynamics of the improper ferroelectric/antiferromagnetic transition at 68K are discussed. Furthermore, the data reveal a new transition at 7K, to a phase of lower symmetry. This phase is correlated with a theoretically predicted structural/magnetic transition in the region of 10K. An unexplained soft mode is discussed, which may have important implications in relation to a further, perhaps 'virtual' transition in Ni3B7O13I.