The far-infrared reflectance and Raman scattering spectra have been me
asured on bulk and thin film samples of the infinite-layer ACuO(2) (A:
alkaline earth) compounds. The reflectance spectra show four main ban
ds, one of them possibly resolvable into two components. The Raman spe
ctra display weak and broad features which shift in energy with the av
erage ion size on the A(2+) site. Such features may result from multip
honon scattering.