Intrinsic Optical Properties of CrCl3

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Abstract
The intrinsic optical absorption spectrum of CrCl3 has been investigated in the 0.6 to 6 eV region at temperatures from 80 to 300 °K. A careful analysis of the crystal field bands in the 0.6 to 3 eV region has revealed some structures and details, such as an Urbach's rule edge, not previously reported. The optical anisotropy of CrCl3 was also studied over the same spectral range. In the region between 3 and 8 eV reflectivity spectra were also obtained. The refractive index of CrCl3 has been determined on evaporated films from 1000 to 380 nm [n(500nm) = 1.85 ± 0.1]. The spectral distribution of photocurrent at ≈ 80 °K was measured and showed weak peaks associated with the main crystal field bands and a sharp increase at shorter wavelengths; maximum photoconductivity yield was reached at (3.2 ± 0.2) eV. The data on the crystal field bands are discussed and some new structures are assigned to specific electronic transitions. Account is taken of the spin—orbit interaction among the various multiplets and the trigonal distortion of the octahedral symmetry of the Cr3+ environment. A discussion of the optical and photoconductivity data in the 3 to 8 eV region is given and alternative explanations of the absorption edge at 3.2 eV are proposed.

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