Symmetry breaking by ultrashort light pulses opens new quantum pathways for coherent phonons
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 14:32
in Physics & Chemistry
Atoms in a crystal form a regular lattice, in which they can move over small distances from their equilibrium positions. Such phonon excitations are represented by quantum states. A superposition of phonon states defines a so-called phonon wavepacket, which is connected with collective coherent oscillations of the atoms in the crystal.