arXiv subjects

Maor Asher

Publications and source records attributed to Maor Asher.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Phonon-phonon interactions in the polarizarion dependence of Raman scattering

We have found that the polarization dependence of Raman scattering in organic crystals at finite temperatures can only be described by a fourth-rank formalism. This generalization of the second-rank Raman tensor $\mathcal{R}$ stems from the effect of off-diagonal components in the crystal self-energy on the light scattering mechanism. We thus establish a novel manifestation of phonon-phonon interaction in inelastic light scattering, markedly separate from the better-known phonon lifetime.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

The Disorder Origin of Raman Scattering In Perovskites Single Crystals

The anharmonic lattice dynamics of oxide and halide perovskites play a crucial role in their mechanical and optical properties. Raman spectroscopy is one of the key methods used to study these structural dynamics. However, despite decades of research, existing interpretations cannot explain the temperature dependence of the observed Raman spectra. We demonstrate the non-monotonic evolution with temperature of the scattering intensity and present a model for 2nd-order Raman scattering that accounts for this unique trend. By invoking a low-frequency anharmonic feature, we are able to reproduce the Raman spectral line-shapes and integrated intensity temperature dependence. Numerical simulations support our interpretation of this low-frequency mode as a transition between two minima of a double-well potential surface. The model can be applied to other dynamically disordered crystal phases, providing a better understanding of the structural dynamics, leading to favorable electronic, optical, and mechanical properties in functional materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Nanofibers coated with Rare-Earth complexes

Crystals and fibers doped with Rare Earth (RE) ions provide the basis to most of today's solid-state optical systems, from lasers and telecom devices to emerging potential quantum applications such as quantum memories and optical to microwave conversion. The two platforms, doped crystals and doped fibers, seem mutually exclusive, each having its own strengths and limitations- the former providing high homogeneity and coherence, and the latter offering the advantages of robust optical waveguides. Here we present a hybrid platform that does not rely on doping but rather on coating the waveguide - a tapered silica optical fiber - with a monolayer of complexes, each containing a single RE ion. The complexes offer an identical, tailored environment to each ion, thus minimizing inhomogeneity and allowing tuning of their properties to the desired application. Specifically, we use highly luminescent Yb$^{+3}$[Zn(II)$_{MC}$(QXA)] complexes, which isolate the RE ion from the environment and suppress non-radiative decay channels. We demonstrate that the beneficial optical transitions of the Yb$^{+3}$ are retained after deposition on the tapered fiber, and observe an excited-state lifetime of over 0.9 ms, on par with state-of-the-art Yb doped inorganic crystals.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Dynamic disorder in Bi sub-lattice of $δ$-Bi$_2$O$_3$

$δ$-Bi$_2$O$_3$ is one of the fastest known solid oxide ion conductors owing to its intrinsically defective fluorite-like structure with 25\% vacant sites in the O sub-lattice. Numerous diffraction measurements and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the Bi ions construct a cubic, fcc lattice, and the O ions are %distributing and migrating through it. Nonetheless, in this study we present Raman scattering measurements that clearly show that the Bi sub-lattice preserves the monoclinic symmetry of the low temperature phase ($α$-Bi$_2$O$_3$) up to the melting temperature of the crystal. The apparent contradiction between our observations and previous findings suggests that Bi ions oscillate between local minima of the effective potential energy surface. These minima represent the monoclinic phase while the time-averaged structure is the cubic phase. We discuss the implication of these low-frequency oscillations on ion conduction.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Anharmonic Lattice Dynamics in Sodium Ion Conductors

We employ THz-range temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and first-principles lattice-dynamical calculations to show that the undoped sodium ion conductors Na$_3$PS$_4$ and isostructural Na$_3$PSe$_4$ both exhibit anharmonic lattice dynamics. The anharmonic effects in the compounds involve coupled host lattice -- Na$^+$ ion dynamics that drive the tetragonal-to-cubic phase transition in both cases, but with a qualitative difference in the anharmonic character of the transition. Na$_3$PSe$_4$ shows almost purely displacive character with the soft modes disappearing in the cubic phase as the change of symmetry shifts these modes to the Raman-inactive Brillouin zone boundary. Na$_3$PS$_4$ instead shows order-disorder character in the cubic phase, with the soft modes persisting through the phase transition and remaining active in Raman in the cubic phase, violating Raman selection rules for that phase. Our findings highlight the important role of coupled host lattice -- mobile ion dynamics in vibrational instabilities that are coincident with the exceptional conductivity in these Na$^+$ ion conductors.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Anharmonic Lattice Vibrations in Small-Molecule Organic Semiconductors

The intermolecular lattice vibrations in small-molecule organic semiconductors have a strong impact on their functional properties. Existing models treat the lattice vibrations within the harmonic approximation. In this work, we use polarization-orientation (PO) Raman measurements to monitor the temperature-evolution of the symmetry of lattice vibrations in anthracene and pentacene single crystals. Combined with first-principles calculations, we show that at 10 K the lattice dynamics of the crystals are indeed harmonic. However, as the temperature is increased specific lattice modes gradually lose their PO dependence and become more liquid-like. This finding is indicative of a dynamic symmetry breaking of the crystal structure and shows clear evidence of the strongly anharmonic nature of these vibrations. Pentacene also shows a subtle phase transition between 80-150 K, indicated by a change in the vibrational symmetry of one of the lattice modes. Our findings lay the groundwork for accurate predictions and new design rules for high-mobility organic semiconductors at room temperature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗