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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Coherently coupled carrier and phonon dynamics in elemental tellurium probed by extreme ultraviolet transient absorption

The narrow band-gap semiconductor elemental tellurium (Te) has a unique electronic structure due to strong spin-orbit splitting and a lack of inversion symmetry of its helical lattice. Using broadband extreme ultraviolet core-level transient absorption, we simultaneously measure the coherently coupled photoinduced carrier and lattice dynamics at the Te N4,5 edge initiated by a few-cycle NIR pulse. Ultrafast excitation of carriers leads to a coherently excited A1 phonon oscillation and the generation of a hot carrier population distribution that oscillates in temperature, and the phonon excursion and hot carrier temperature are π out of phase with respect to each other. The depths of modulation suggest a significant coupling between the electronic and lattice degrees of freedom in Te. A long-lived shift of the absorption edge suggests an excited state of Te in another equilibrium potential energy surface that lives on the order of the carrier recombination timescale. The observed phonon-induced oscillations of the hot carriers are supportive of a change in the metallicity, whereby Te becomes more metallic with increasing phonon-induced displacement. Additionally, near the Fermi level we observe an energy-dependent phase of the displacive excitation of the A1 phonon mode. The discovery of coherent coupling between the lattice and hot carriers in Te provides the basis to investigate coherent interactions between spin and orbital degrees of freedom. The results spectrally and temporally resolve the correlation between photoexcited hot carriers and coherent lattice excitations, providing insight on the optical manipulation of the Te electronic structure at high carrier densities exceeding 1021cm−3.

Adelman, Jonah R↗
DOE OSTI2015

Neutron inelastic scattering measurements of low-energy phonons in the multiferroic BiFeO 3

In this study, we present neutron inelastic scattering measurements of the low-energy phonons in single crystal BiFeO 3 . The dispersions of the three acoustic phonon modes (LA along [100], TA 1 along [010], and TA 2 along [110]) and two low-energy optic phonon modes (LO and TO 1 ) have been mapped out between 300 and 700 K. Elastic constants are extracted from the phonon measurements. The energy linewidths of both TA phonons at the zone boundary clearly broaden when the system is warmed toward the magnetic ordering temperature T N =640 K. In conclusion, this suggests that the magnetic order and low-energy lattice dynamics in this multiferroic material are coupled.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Heavy-impurity resonance, hybridization, and phonon spectral functions in Fe 1-x M x Si, M=Ir,Os

The vibrational behavior of heavy substitutional impurities (M=Ir,Os) in Fe 1-x M x Si (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.1) was investigated with a combination of inelastic neutron scattering (INS), transport measurements, and first-principles simulations. In this paper, our INS measurements on single-crystals mapped the four-dimensional dynamical structure factor, S(Q;E), for several compositions and temperatures. Our results show that both Ir and Os impurities lead to the formation of a weakly dispersive resonance vibrational mode, in the energy range of the acoustic phonon dispersions of the FeSi host. We also show that Ir doping, which introduces free carriers and increases electron-phonon coupling, leads to softened interatomic force-constants compared to doping with Os, which is isoelectronic to Fe. We analyze the phonon S(Q,E) from INS through a Green's function model incorporating the phonon self-energy based on first-principles density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Calculations of the quasiparticle spectral functions in the doped system reveal the hybridization between the resonance and the acoustic phonon modes. Finally, our results demonstrate a strong interaction of the host acoustic dispersions with the resonance mode, likely leading to the large observed suppression in lattice thermal conductivity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Phonon anharmonicity of monoclinic zirconia and yttrium-stabilized zirconia

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements on monoclinic zirconia (ZrO 2 ) and 8 mol% yttrium-stabilized zirconia were performed at temperatures from 300 to 1373 ωK. We reported temperature-dependent phonon densities of states (DOS) and Raman spectra obtained at elevated temperatures. First-principles lattice dynamics calculations with density functional theory gave total and partial phonon DOS curves and mode Grüneisen parameters. These mode Grüneisen parameters were used to predict the experimental temperature dependence of the phonon DOS with partial success. However, substantial anharmonicity was found at elevated temperatures, especially for phonon modes dominated by the motions of oxygen atoms. Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was somewhat more anharmonic and had a broader phonon spectrum at low temperatures, owing in part to defects in its structure. YSZ also has a larger vibrational entropy than monoclinic zirconia.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Weak coupling of pseudoacoustic phonons and magnon dynamics in the incommensurate spin-ladder compound S r 14 C u 24 O 41

Intriguing lattice dynamics have been predicted for aperiodic crystals that contain incommensurate substructures. Here we report inelastic neutron scattering measurements of phonon and magnon dispersions in Sr 14 Cu 24 O 41 , which contains incommensurate one-dimensional (1D) chain and two-dimensional (2D) ladder substructures. Two distinct pseudoacoustic phonon modes, corresponding to the sliding motion of one sublattice against the other, are observed for atomic motions polarized along the incommensurate axis. In the long wavelength limit, it is found that the sliding mode shows a remarkably small energy gap of 1.7–1.9 meV, indicating very weak interactions between the two incommensurate sublattices. The measurements also reveal a gapped and steep linear magnon dispersion of the ladder sublattice. The high group velocity of this magnon branch and weak coupling with acoustic and pseudoacoustic phonons can explain the large magnon thermal conductivity in Sr 14 Cu 24 O 41 crystals. In addition, the magnon specific heat is determined from the measured total specific heat and phonon density of states and exhibits a Schottky anomaly due to gapped magnon modes of the spin chains. Furthermore, these findings offer new insights into the phonon and magnon dynamics and thermal transport properties of incommensurate magnetic crystals that contain low-dimensional substructures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Phonon thermodynamics and elastic behavior of GaN at high temperatures and pressures

The effects of temperature and pressure on the phonons of GaN were calculated for both the wurtzite and zinc-blende structures. In this work, the quasiharmonic approximation (QHA) gave reasonable results for the temperature dependence of the phonon DOS at zero pressure but unreliably predicted the combined effects of temperature and pressure. Pressure was found to change the explicit anharmonicity, altering the thermal shifts of phonons and more notably qualitatively changing the evolution of phonon lifetimes with increasing temperature. These effects were largest for the optical modes, and phonon frequencies below approximately 5 THz were adequately predicted with the QHA. The elastic anisotropies of GaN in both wurtzite and zinc-blende structures were calculated from the elastic constants as a function of pressure at 0 K. The elastic anisotropy increased with pressure until reaching elastic instabilities at 40 GPa (zinc blende) and 65 GPa (wurtzite). The calculated instabilities are consistent with proposed transformation pathways to rocksalt GaN and place upper bounds on the pressures at which wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN can be metastable.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Phonon localization in binary alloys with diagonal and off-diagonal disorder: A cluster Green's function approach

We report the development and application of a method for carrying out computational investigations of the effects of mass and force-constant (FC) disorder on phonon spectra. The method is based on the recently developed typical medium dynamical cluster approach, which is a Green's function approach. Excellent quantitative agreement with previous exact diagonalization results establishes the veracity of the method. Application of the method to a model system of binary mass and an FC-disordered system leads to several findings. A narrow resonance, significantly below the van Hove singularity, that has been termed the boson peak, is seen to emerge for low soft particle concentrations. We show, using the typical phonon spectrum, that the states constituting the boson peak cross over from being completely localized to being extended as a function of increasing soft particle concentration. In general, an interplay of mass and FC disorder is found to be cooperative in nature, enhancing phonon localization over all frequencies. However, for a certain range of frequencies, and depending on material parameters, FC disorder can delocalize the states that were localized by mass disorder, and vice versa. Modeling vacancies as weakly bonded sites with vanishing mass, we find that vacancies, even at very low concentrations, are extremely effective in localizing phonons. Thus, inducing vacancies is proposed as a promising route for efficient thermoelectrics. Lastly, we use model parameters corresponding to the alloy system, Ni 1- x Pt x , and we show that mass disorder alone is insufficient to explain the pseudogap in the phonon spectrum; the concomitant presence of FC disorder is necessary.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Decoupling carrier concentration and electron-phonon coupling in oxide heterostructures observed with resonant inelastic x-ray scattering

In this paper, we report the observation of multiple phonon satellite features in ultra thin superlattices of form n SrIrO 3 / m SrTiO 3 using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. As the values of n and m vary the energy loss spectra show a systematic evolution in the relative intensity of the phonon satellites. Using a closed-form solution for the RIXS cross section, we extract the variation in the electron-phonon coupling strength as a function of n and m . Combined with the negligible carrier doping into the SrTiO 3 layers, these results indicate that tuning of the electron-phonon coupling can be effectively decoupled from doping. In conclusion, this work showcases both a feasible method to extract the electron-phonon coupling in superlattices and unveils a potential route for tuning this coupling which is often associated with superconductivity in SrTiO 3 -based systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Exciton-Phonon Interaction and Relaxation Times from First Principles

Electron-phonon interactions are key to understanding the dynamics of electrons in materials and can be modeled accurately from first principles. However, when electrons and holes form Coulomb-bound states (excitons), quantifying their interactions and scattering processes with phonons remains an open challenge. Here we show a rigorous approach for computing exciton-phonon (ex-ph) interactions and the associated exciton dynamical processes from first principles. Starting from the ab initio Bethe-Salpeter equation, we derive expressions for the ex-ph matrix elements and relaxation times. Finally, we apply our method to bulk hexagonal boron nitride, for which we map the ex-ph relaxation times as a function of exciton momentum and energy, analyze the temperature and phonon-mode dependence of the ex-ph scattering processes, and accurately predict the phonon-assisted photoluminescence. The approach introduced in this work is general and provides a framework for investigating exciton dynamics in a wide range of materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Implications of the electron-phonon coupling in CuPb 9 ( PO 4 ) 6 O for superconductivity: An ab initio study

Here we report ab initio calculations of the electronic and vibrational properties in CuPb 9 (PO 4 ) 6 O, including the electron-phonon coupling strength via strong-coupling Migdal-Eliashberg theory. We verify the presence of appealing flat electronic bands near the Fermi level, a strong hybridization between the Cu 3d and O 2p states, and soft low-energy phonons, which can suggest high-temperature superconducting behavior. However, the electron-phonon coupling strength appears insufficient to overcome the Coulomb repulsion between an electron pair and thus does not support high-temperature superconductivity in CuPb 9 (PO 4 ) 6 O via the conventional electron-phonon Migdal-Eliashberg mechanism. Even neglecting Coulomb repulsion of the electron pair we find this electron-phonon coupling suggests a superconducting transition temperature of less than 2 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Atomistic simulation of electron and phonon transport in nano-devices

In this paper, the electrical, thermal, and coupled electro-thermal properties of silicon nanowire field-effect transistors (NWFETs) are investigated through advanced numerical simulations. An atomistic quantum transport solver based on the Non-equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) formalism is utilized as modeling tool. The electron characteristics are treated within an empirical tight-binding basis, while a modified valence-force-field method is used to describe phonons. Device simulations going beyond the ballistic limit of transport are performed: electron-phonon interactions with an equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium phonon population are considered as well as an-harmonic phonon-phonon scattering. It is found that ultrascaled Si NWFETs with a gate length of 15 nm operate at about 50% of their ballistic limit. This poor performance can be explained by large self-heating effects that drastically increase the lattice temperature and thus reduce the drain current.

Luisier, Mathieu↗
DOE OSTI2017

Femtosecond electron-phonon lock-in by photoemission and x-ray free-electron laser

The interactions that lead to the emergence of superconductivity in iron-based materials remain a subject of debate. It has been suggested that electron-electron correlations enhance electron-phonon coupling in iron selenide (FeSe) and related pnictides, but direct experimental verification has been lacking. Here we show that the electron-phonon coupling strength in FeSe can be quantified by combining two time-domain experiments into a “coherent lock-in” measurement in the terahertz regime. X-ray diffraction tracks the light-induced femtosecond coherent lattice motion at a single phonon frequency, and photoemission monitors the subsequent coherent changes in the electronic band structure. Comparison with theory reveals a strong enhancement of the coupling strength in FeSe owing to correlation effects. Given that the electron-phonon coupling affects superconductivity exponentially, this enhancement highlights the importance of the cooperative interplay between electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions.

Gerber, S. (ORCID:0000000257172626)↗
DOE OSTI2022

Superconductivity device comprising a phononic crystal

The invention is directed to a device and method to engineer the superconducting transition width by suppressing the phonon populations responsible for the Cooper-pair decoherence below the superconducting transition temperature via phononic bandgap engineering. The device uses phononic crystals to engineer a phononic frequency gap that suppresses the decohering thermal phonon population just below the Cooper-frequency, and thus the normal conduction electron population. For example, such engineering can relax the cooling requirements for a variety of circuits yielding higher operational quality factors for superconducting electronics and interconnects.

El-Kady, Ihab Fathy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simulating the Phonon Collection Efficiency in KIPMDs

Kinetic inductance phonon-mediated (KIPM) detectors use microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) to read out phonon signals in the substrate. They are a promising class of detectors to be used in light dark matter (DM) searches due to their potential eV-scale sensitivity and native frequency-domain multiplexability. In order to improve upon the design of these detectors, simulations are needed to understand the effects of detector design on measurable physical parameters including the phonon collection efficiency, $\eta_{ph}$, which is defined as the ratio of phonon energy detected by the sensitive target element to the incident energy deposited in the substrate. This work simulates the phonon collection efficiency for a KIPMD currently operated at the Northwestern EXperimental Underground Site (NEXUS).

Dang, Stella Q.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Spin–Phonon Coupling and Magnetic Transition in an Organic Molecule Intercalated Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6

The manipulation of spin–phonon coupling in both formations and explorations of magnetism in two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnetic semiconductors facilitates unprecedented prospects for spintronic devices. The interlayer engineering with spin–phonon coupling promises controllable magnetism via organic cation intercalation. Here, in this study, spectroscopic evidence reveals the intercalation effect on the intrinsic magnetic and electronic transitions in quasi-two-dimensional Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 using tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA + ) as the intercalant. The temperature evolution of Raman modes, E g 3 and A g 1 , along with the magnetization measurements, unambiguously captures the enhancement of the ferromagnetic Curie temperature in the intercalated heterostructure. Moreover, the E g 4 mode highlights the increased effect of spin–phonon interaction in magnetic-order-induced lattice distortion. Combined with the first-principle calculations, we observed a substantial number of electrons transferred from TBA + to Cr through the interface. The interplay between spin–phonon coupling and magnetic ordering in van der Waals magnets appeals for further understanding of the manipulation of magnetism in layered heterostructures.

2D magnet↗
DOE OSTI2019

Unexpected Strong Thermally Induced Phonon Energy Shift for Mapping Local Temperature

Measuring temperature in nanoscale is crucial for the research and development of microelectronic devices. Plasmon resonance has been utilized to map local temperature gradient in metallic materials (Al) due to their large coefficients of thermal expansion. However, most semiconductors (including Si and SiC) possess much smaller coefficients of thermal expansion due to their strong covalent bonding in crystal structure, for which the plasmon-based temperature measurement becomes unreliable. Here, we report an unexpected strong, thermally induced phonon energy shift in SiC by spatially resolved vibrational spectroscopy in transmission electron microscopy with in situ heating, demonstrating that this shift can be applied as a useful tool for measuring nanoscale temperature. When a bulk phonon spectrum is used, the spatial resolution of vibrational spectroscopy can be as high as one nanometer. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that lattice expansion only contributes a small fraction of phonon energy shift and that vibrant motions away from the bonds are predominate factors. In conclusion, this study gains deeper insight into the understanding of dynamic behaviors of the phonon and provides a new avenue to measure local temperature in nanodevices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Momentum-Dark Intervalley Exciton in Monolayer Tungsten Diselenide Brightened via Chiral Phonon

Inversion symmetry breaking and 3-fold rotation symmetry grant the valley degree of freedom to the robust exciton in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides, which can be exploited for valleytronics applications. However, the short lifetime of the exciton significantly constrains the possible applications. In contrast, the dark exciton could be long-lived but does not necessarily possess the valley degree of freedom. In this work, we report the identification of the momentum-dark, intervalley exciton in monolayer WSe 2 through low-temperature magneto-photoluminescence spectra. Interestingly, the intervalley exciton is brightened through the emission of a chiral phonon at the corners of the Brillouin zone (K point), and the pseudoangular momentum of the phonon is transferred to the emitted photon to preserve the valley information. The chiral phonon energy is determined to be ~23 meV, based on the experimentally extracted exchange interaction (~7 meV), in excellent agreement with the theoretical expectation of 24.6 meV. The long-lived intervalley exciton with valley degree of freedom adds an exciting quasiparticle for valleytronics, and the coupling between the chiral phonon and intervalley exciton furnishes a venue for valley spin manipulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Phonons and magnetic excitation correlations in weak ferromagnetic YCrO{sub 3}

Here, we report the temperature dependent Raman spectroscopic studies on orthorhombically distorted perovskite YCrO{sub 3} over a temperature range of 20–300 K. Temperature dependence of DC-magnetization measurements under field cooled and zero field cooled protocols confirmed a Néel transition at T{sub N} ∼ 142 K. Magnetization isotherms recorded at 125 K show a clear loop opening without any magnetization saturation up to 20 kOe, indicating a coexistence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and weak ferromagnetic (WFM) phases. Estimation of exchange constants using mean-field approximation further confirm the presence of a complex magnetic phase below T{sub N}. Temperature evolution of Raman line-shape parameters of the selected modes (associated with the octahedral rotation and A(Y)-shift in the unit-cell) reveal an anomalous phonon shift near T{sub N}. An additional phonon anomaly was identified at T{sup *} ∼ 60 K, which could possibly be attributed to the change in the spin dynamics. Moreover, the positive and negative shifts in Raman frequencies between T{sub N} and T{sup *} suggest competing WFM and AFM interactions. A close match between the phonon frequency of B{sub 3g} (3)-octahedral rotation mode with the square of sublattice magnetization between T{sub N} and T{sup *} is indicative of the presence of spin-phonon coupling in multiferroic YCrO{sub 3}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗