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Trugman, S. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Trugman, S. A..

9 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamic properties of a polaron coupled to dispersive optical phonons

We study static and dynamic properties of an electron coupled to dispersive quantum optical phonons in the framework of the Holstein model defined on a one-dimensional lattice. Calculations are performed using the Lanczos algorithm based on a highly efficient construction of the variational Hilbert space. Even small phonon dispersion has a profound effect on the low-energy optical response. While the upward phonon dispersion broadens the optical spectra due to single-phonon excitations, the downward dispersion has the opposite effect. With increasing dispersion, a multiphonon excitation (MPE) state becomes the lowest excited state of the system at zero momentum and determines the low-frequency response of the optical conductivity where the threshold for optical absorption moves below the single-phonon frequency. Multiphonon states form a well-defined bandlike feature just above the polaron band as clearly seen in the electron spectral function. Low-energy MPEs should be observable in systems with strong optical phonon dispersion in optical as well as angle-resolved photoemission experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Tracking Ultrafast Photocurrents in the Weyl Semimetal TaAs Using THz Emission Spectroscopy

We investigate here polarization-dependent ultrafast photocurrents in the Weyl semimetal TaAs using terahertz (THz) emission spectroscopy. Our results reveal that highly directional, transient photocurrents are generated along the noncentrosymmetric c axis regardless of incident light polarization, while helicity-dependent photocurrents are excited within the ab plane. This is consistent with earlier static photocurrent experiments, and demonstrates on the basis of both the physical constraints imposed by symmetry and the temporal dynamics intrinsic to current generation and decay that optically induced photocurrents in TaAs are inherent to the underlying crystal symmetry of the transition metal monopnictide family of Weyl semimetals.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optical absorption spectroscopy in hybrid systems of plasmons and excitons

Understanding the physics of light emitters in quantum nanostructures regarding scalability, geometry, structure of the system and coupling between different degrees of freedom is important as one can improve the design and further provide rigorous controls of quantum devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Unraveling thickness-dependent spin relaxation in colossal magnetoresistance manganite films

In this paper, we used ultrafast optical spectroscopy to study photoinduced spin relaxation in 10–100 nm thick La 0.7 Ca 0.3 MnO 3 films. The spin-lattice relaxation time displays a strong dependence on thickness below the Curie temperature. Our simulations show that the observed thickness-dependent relaxation results from much faster thermal decay through the substrate in thinner films that leads to artificially faster demagnetization. Furthermore, we provide an analytical approach to gain insight into the spin-lattice relaxation time for highly thermal dissipative films. Finally, our study strongly suggests that careful consideration of the influence of transient thermal variations on photoinduced demagnetization is mandatory when incorporating absorbing thin magnetic films into heterostructures and devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Probing and controlling terahertz-driven structural dynamics with surface sensitivity

Intense, single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses are powerful tools to understand and control material properties through low-energy resonances, such as phonons. Combining this with optical second harmonic generation (SHG) makes it possible to observe the resulting ultrafast structural changes with surface sensitivity. This makes SHG an ideal method to probe phonon dynamics in topological insulators (TI), materials with unique surface transport properties. Here, we resonantly excite a phonon mode in the TI Bi 2 Se 3 with THz pulses and use SHG to separate the resulting symmetry changes at the surface from the bulk. Furthermore, we coherently control the lattice vibrations with a pair of THz pulses. Lastly, our work demonstrates a versatile, table-top tool to probe and control phonon dynamics in a range of systems, particularly at surfaces and interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Probing ultrafast spin dynamics through a magnon resonance in the antiferromagnetic multiferroic HoMnO 3

Here, we demonstrate an approach for directly tracking antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin dynamics by measuring ultrafast changes in a magnon resonance. We also test this idea on the multiferroic HoMnO 3 by optically photoexciting electrons, after which changes in the spin order are probed with a THz pulse tuned to a magnon resonance. This reveals a photoinduced change in the magnon line shape that builds up over 5–12 picoseconds, which we show to be the spin-lattice thermalization time, indicating that electrons heat the spins via phonons. We compare our results to previous studies of spin-lattice thermalization in ferromagnetic manganites, giving insight into fundamental differences between the two systems. Finally, our work sheds light on the microscopic mechanism governing spin-phonon interactions in AFMs and demonstrates a powerful approach for directly monitoring ultrafast spin dynamics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ultrafast carrier dynamics in the large-magnetoresistance material WTe 2

In this study, ultrafast optical pump-probe spectroscopy is used to track carrier dynamics in the large-magnetoresistance material WTe 2 . Our experiments reveal a fast relaxation process occurring on a subpicosecond time scale that is caused by electron-phonon thermalization, allowing us to extract the electron-phonon coupling constant. An additional slower relaxation process, occurring on a time scale of ~5–15 ps, is attributed to phonon-assisted electron-hole recombination. As the temperature decreases from 300 K, the time scale governing this process increases due to the reduction of the phonon population. However, below ~50 K, an unusual decrease of the recombination time sets in, most likely due to a change in the electronic structure that has been linked to the large magnetoresistance observed in this material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗