Optical spectroscopic studies of the polymerization of (SN)^o_n radicals to (SN)_x in thin films

Optical absorption measurements between 300 and 50000 cm^-1 in the 12 to 300 K temperature range, on thin films of (SN)^o_n radicals deposited from (SN)_x vapors, are presented. The spectrum of a thin film deposited at 12 K is interpreted as arising from the SN vibrational modes and electronic transitions of the ring S₄N₄ molecule, the linear (SN)^o_x radical and an (SN)^o_n radical longer chain length. The temperature induced evolution of the optical spectrum and the probable nature of the polymerized blue-black films, shown by preliminary X-ray data to be non-crystalline, are discussed.