Direct observation of large electron-phonon interaction effect on phonon heat transport.

ABSTRACT: As a foundational concept in many-body physics, electron-phonon interaction is essential to understanding and manipulating charge and energy flow in various electronic, photonic, and energy conversion devices. While much progress has been made in uncovering how phonons affect electron dynamics, it remains a challenge to directly observe the impact of electrons on phonon transport, especially at environmental temperatures. Here, we probe the effect of charge carriers on phonon heat transport at room temperature, using a modified transient thermal grating technique. By optically exciting electron-hole pairs in a crystalline silicon membrane, we single out the effect of the phonon-carrier interaction. The enhanced phonon scattering by photoexcited free carriers results in a substantial reduct

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7695728 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature