# Metal-insulator transition in the low-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)2FSO3 probed by infrared microspectroscopy

## TL;DR

This study investigates the metal-insulator transition in the quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)2FSO3 using infrared microspectroscopy, revealing an energy gap, structural modulations, and a novel infrared mode with unique temperature behavior.

## Contribution

It provides new insights into the infrared response, structural changes, and a novel vibrational mode associated with the transition, supported by a proposed coupling model.

## Key findings

- Energy gap of about 1500 cm-1 opens below transition
- Long-range crystal structure modulation detected
- A new infrared mode at around 710 cm-1 observed

## Abstract

We present measurements of the infrared response of the quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)2$SO3 along (E||a) and perpendicular (E||b') to the stacking axis as a function of temperature. Above the metal-insulator transition related to the anion ordering the optical conductivity spectra show a Drude-like response. Below the transition an energy gap of about 1500 cm-1 (185 meV) opens, leading to the corresponding charge transfer band in the optical conductivity spectra. The analysis of the infrared-active vibrations gives evidence for the long-range crystal structure modulation below the transition temperature and for the short-range order fluctuations of the lattice modulation above the transition temperature. Also we report about a new infrared mode at around 710 cm-1 with a peculiar temperature behavior, which has so far not been observed in any other (TMTSF)2X salt showing a metal-insulator transition. A qualitative model based on the coupling between the TMTSF molecule vibration and the reorientation of electrical dipole moment of the FSO3 anion is proposed, in order to explain the anomalous behavior of the new mode.