Abstract
Using the spectral moments method, the calculations of the Raman spectra of single-walled boron nitride nanotubes (SW-BNNTs) were performed in the framework of the force constants model. Spectra were computed for chiral and achiral nanotubes for different diameters and lengths. The Raman scattering intensities were determined using the bond-polarizability model and a good agreement with group theory analysis was found. We show that the modes in the low frequency region are very sensitive to the nanotube diameter variation, whereas the ones associated to the tangential region are chirality dependent. The number of Raman active modes, their frequencies, and intensities depend on the length of the nanotube. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.