The reflection spectra of porous gallium phosphide samples are investigated
in the far infrared region of wave numbers (10-700 cm(-1)). In addition of
the longitudinal and transverse optical phonon modes corresponding to the
bulk material, additional vibrational modes are detected. Their number and
spectral position are correctly described by a model of a dispersive dielec
tric medium under the assumption that porous gallium phosphide is formed by
crystallites whose shape is close to cylindrical. It is concluded that suc
h vibrational modes are optical phonons confined by the volume of the quant
um wire. The experimental optical reflection spectra are used to obtain est
imates of the average diameter of nanocrystallites forming the porous GaP l
ayer. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".