Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control

Details Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control

2011-01-10

arxiv.org/abs/1101.1878v5

Physics

Condensed Matter

Other Condensed Matter

10 manuscript pages, 3 figures

Scientific paper

10.1038/NPHYS2055

To date, two types of coupling between electromagnetic radiation and a crystal lattice have been identified experimentally. One is direct, for infrared (IR)-active vibrations that carry an electric dipole. The second is indirect, it occurs through intermediate excitation of the electronic system via electron-phonon coupling, as in stimulated Raman scattering. Nearly 40 years ago, proposals were made of a third path, referred to as ionic Raman scattering (IRS). It was posited that excitation of an IR-active phonon could serve as the intermediate state for a Raman scattering process relying on lattice anharmonicity as opposed to electron phonon interaction. In this paper, we report an experimental demonstration of ionic Raman scattering and show that this mechanism is relevant to optical control in solids. The key insight is that a rectified phonon field can exert a directional force onto the crystal, inducing an abrupt displacement of the atoms from the equilibrium positions that could not be achieved through excitation of an IR-active vibration alone, for which the force is oscillatory. IRS opens up a new direction for the coherent control of solids in their electronic ground state, different from approaches that rely on electronic excitations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nonlinear phononics: A new ultrafast route to lattice control will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-456905