Charge-Order pattern in $κ$-BEDT-TTF salts: A model independent, selection rule approach

Abstract

A well known vibrational selection rule is invoked to determine the charge order (CO) pattern displayed by the most interesting members of the widely studied class of $κ$-BEDT-TTF salts and their molecular analogues. The selection rule indicates that an easily identifiable Raman band should be present if intra-dimer charge disproportionation occurs, constituting a sort of model independent ``litmus test''. The absence of such a band in the available Raman spectra of $κ$-BEDT-TTF salts exhibiting static of fluctuating CO, strongly suggests that the CO pattern involves inter-dimer CO, in contrast with the universally accepted intra-dimer disprortionation. This paper therefore poses a challenge for the theoretical modeling of the concerned salts: either the lack of the Raman band sensitive to intra-dimer CO pattern is explained, or the modeling of the multivariate, unique physical properties of these $κ$-phase salts (spin frustration, electronic ferroelectricity etc.) has to start from the perspective of a different ground state.