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arXiv · 2211.10424

Quantum theory of light-driven coherent lattice dynamics

Fabio Caruso·Marios Zacharias
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Abstract

The exposure to intense electromagnetic radiation can induce distortions and symmetry breaking in the crystal structure of solids, providing a route for the all-optical control of their properties. In this manuscript, we formulate a unified theoretical approach to describe the coherent lattice dynamics in presence of external driving fields, electron-phonon and phonon-phonon interactions, and quantum nuclear effects. The main mechanisms for the excitation of coherent phonons - including infrared absorption, displacive excitation, inelastic stimulated Raman scattering, and ionic Raman scattering - can be seamlessly accounted for. We apply this formalism to a model consisting of two coupled phonon modes, where we illustrate the influence of quantum nuclei on structural distortions induced by ionic Raman scattering. Besides validating the widely-employed classical models for the coherent lattice dynamics, our work provides a versatile approach to methodically explore the emergence of quantum nuclear effects in the structural response of crystal lattice to strong fields.

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Fabio Caruso, Marios Zacharias. 2022-11-18. Quantum theory of light-driven coherent lattice dynamics. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.107.054102

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