On inversion of cations in compounds with cryolite structure

IR and Raman spectra for polycrystalline niobates and tantalates, crystallizing in cryolite structural type, (40Ca - 44Ca) isotope-substituted by calcium samples among them, are investigated. Oscillation frequencies for cations of alkaline-earth and rare-earth elements in octahedral and cubooctahedral positions are found. Calculation for normal oscillation forms and frequencies of Ca2LaNbO6 and Ca2LuNbO6, which are characterized by the inverted position of alkaline-earth and rare-earth elements in crystal lattice, is carried out. Negligible difference of dynamic coefficients for these compounds agrees with structural data and explains the possibility of cations inversion within one structural type frameworks