arXiv subjects

I. Savić

Publications and source records attributed to I. Savić.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Evolution of non-thermal phonon and electron populations in photo-excited germanium on picosecond timescales

We investigate from first-principles theory and experiment the generation of phonons on picosecond timescales and the relaxation of carriers in multiple conduction band valleys of photo-excited Ge by inter-valley electron-phonon scattering. We provide a full description of the phonon and electron relaxation dynamics without adjustable parameters. Simulations of the time-evolution of phonon populations, based on first-principles band structure and electron-phonon and phonon-phonon matrix elements, are compared with data from time-resolved x-ray diffuse scattering experiments, performed at the LCLS x-ray free-electron laser facility, which measures the diffuse scattering intensity following photo-excitation by a 50 fs near-infrared optical pulse. Comparing calculations and measurements show that the intensity of the non-thermal x-ray diffuse scattering signal, that is observed to grow substantially near the L-point of the Brillouin zone over 3-5 ps, is due to phonons generated by scattering of carriers between the $Δ$ and L valleys. Non-thermal phonon populations throughout the Brillouin zone are observed and simulated from first principles without adjustable parameters for times up to 10 ps. With inclusion of phonon decay through 3-phonon processes, the simulations also account for other non-thermal features observed in the x-ray diffuse scattering intensity, which are due to anharmonic phonon-phonon scattering of the phonons initially generated by electron-phonon scattering.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

The anomalous magnetic properties of $CaRuO_3$ probed by AC and DC magnetic measurements and by low Ti impurity doping

Calcium ruthenate ($CaRuO_3$) is widely believed to be located close to a quantum critical point due to the strong non-Fermi-liquid behavior expressed in the temperature dependence of electronic transport, specific heat, optical conductivity, etc. However, the corresponding anomalous behavior, marking crossover temperature regimes in the magnetic response of $CaRuO_3$, is still lacking. Here we report detailed AC and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements of $CaRuO_3$ and $CaRu_{0.97}Ti_{0.03}O_3$. The AC magnetic susceptibility measurements of the $CaRuO_3$ show a slight dependence on the frequency of AC magnetic field below ~ 40 K, and an additional subtle change of curvature around 12 K. We interpret these results as a critical slowing down of spin fluctuations towards T=0 K. We confirm these observations by magnetic measurements of $CaRu_{0.97}Ti_{0.03}O_3$, which show a pronounced magnetic response corresponding to the above temperatures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Photoinduced suppression of the ferroelectric instability in PbTe

The interactions between electrons and phonons drive a large array of technologically relevant material properties including ferroelectricity, thermoelectricity, and phase-change behaviour. In the case of many group IV-VI, V, and related materials, these interactions are strong and the materials exist near electronic and structural phase transitions. Their close proximity to phase instability produces a fragile balance among the various properties. The prototypical example is PbTe whose incipient ferroelectric behaviour has been associated with large phonon anharmonicity and thermoelectricity. Experimental measurements on PbTe reveal anomalous lattice dynamics, especially in the soft transverse optical phonon branch. This has been interpreted in terms of both giant anharmonicity and local symmetry breaking due to off-centering of the Pb ions. The observed anomalies have prompted renewed theoretical and computational interest, which has in turn revived focus on the extent that electron-phonon interactions drive lattice instabilities in PbTe and related materials. Here, we use Fourier-transform inelastic x-ray scattering (FT-IXS) to show that photo-injection of free carriers stabilizes the paraelectric state. With support from constrained density functional theory (CDFT) calculations, we find that photoexcitation weakens the long-range forces along the cubic direction tied to resonant bonding and incipient ferroelectricity. This demonstrates the importance of electronic states near the band edges in determining the equilibrium structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗