Abstract
A theoretical comparison of changes in the phonon band structures and the lattice dynamics of diamond-type carbon, silicon, and germanium due to the presence of hot electrons and holes, which can be induced by a femtosecond-laser pulse, is presented. Our results indicate that lighter elements are more resilient to femtosecond-laser excitation than heavier ones. We discuss how this is consistent with a richer structural response of light solids, including the possibility of femtosecond-laser-triggered solid-to-solid structural changes.
- Received 15 January 2015
- Revised 11 March 2015
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.144303
©2015 American Physical Society