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This paper resolves discrepancies between experimental and theoretical Raman spectra of $\alpha$-MnTe by incorporating long-range dipole-dipole interactions into phonon band structure calculations. The inclusion of these interactions significantly alters high-frequency optical modes, correctly identifying previously debated Raman peaks and their theoretical assignments. The study reveals that while pristine $\alpha$-MnTe exhibits weak intensities for these newly activated modes, specific distortions can enhance them.
Long-range dipole-dipole interactions are essential for accurately predicting $\alpha$-MnTe's Raman spectra, revealing hidden Raman-active modes and resolving experimental-theoretical disparities.
In this study, we address the seemingly open question of disparity between the experimentally and theoretically observed Raman spectra for the altermagnetic $\alpha$-MnTe. We establish that the consideration of long range (LR) dipole-dipole interaction is crucial to accurately estimate the phonon band structure and thereby capturing each of the experimentally observed Raman signatures. The LR correction brings about substantial changes to the high-frequency optical modes and their group-theoretical representations. Specifically, for the highly debated Raman peak around 175 cm$^{-1}$, alongside the Raman silent B$_{1u}$ mode, the LR corrections introduce Raman-active longitudinal optical A$^{\prime}$ and A$_1$, and transverse optical A$_1$ modes. Overall, the calculated Raman spectra suggest that the intensity of these modes is weak in the pristine system, while certain prescribed distortions can increase their intensity. The Raman peak around 140 cm$^{-1}$, as observed experimentally, is identified to be emerging from a higher-order Raman process due to zone off-center contributions, while the other debated 120 cm$^{-1}$ peak has both the zone center and off-center contributions.