Lattice dynamics of (Ba/K)BiO3

The Lattice dynamics of Ba.6K.4BiO3 was investigated by inelastic neutron scattering on a superconducting single crystal (T c =26 K (midpoint)). At low frequencies the dispersion curves are very similar to those observed in BaPb.75Bi.25O3. Differences were found in the bond bending vibrations of the BiO6 octahedra which indicate that the binding in the K-doped compound is more ionic. Rather anomalous features were observed in the high frequency Bi-O bond stretching vibrations which resemble those observed in the high T c cuprates La1.85Sr.15CuO4 and YBa2Cu3O7. The observed frequency shifts are interpreted as the consequence from a strong electron phonon coupling. The data are compared to the results obtained on non superconducting Ba.98K.02BiO3.