Predicted Ultrafast Dynamic Metallization of Dielectric Nanofilms by Strong Single-Cycle Optical Fields

Durach, Maxim; Rusina, Anastasia; Kling, Matthias F.; Stockman, Mark I.

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.107.086602

Cited by 66 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…7 (b). These transitions, which appear due to adiabatic population transfer, are analogous to those appearing due to metallization of dielectric nanofilms 11,13 .…”

Section: A Enhancement Of Reflection Of the Optical Pulsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This implies that in high fields the dielectric (silica) becomes much more polarizable ("softer") than expected from the low-field behavior. This softening is interpreted as a precursor to the adiabatic metallization 11,13 , which is incomplete because the present field is too fast to be adiabatic.…”

Section: A Enhancement Of Reflection Of the Optical Pulsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, we consider silica with bandgap ∆ g ≈ 9 eV and pulse carrier frequency ω 0 = 1.5 eV. With relaxation time ∼ 20 fs, the electron dynamics for such an ultrashort pulse is expected to be field-driven and coherent (Hamiltonian), which can be described in terms of wave functions 11,13 . We introduce a coupled system of Maxwell equations and the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, and solve it numerically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Theory of dielectric nanofilms in strong ultrafast optical fields

Apalkov

Stockman

2012

Phys. Rev. B

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We theoretically predict that a dielectric nanofilm subjected to a normally-incident strong but ultrashort (a few optical oscillations) laser pulse exhibits deeply nonlinear (non-perturbative) optical responses which are essentially reversible and driven by the instantaneous optical field. Among them is a high optical polarization and a significant population of the conduction band, which develop at the peak of the pulse and almost disappear after its end. There is also a correspondingly large increase of the pulse reflectivity. These phenomena are related to Wannier-Stark localization and anticrossings between the Wannier-Stark ladders originating from the valence and conduction bands leading to optical "softening" of the dielectric. Theory is developed by solving self-consistently the Maxwell equations and the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The results point out to a fundamental possibility of optical-field effect devices with the bandwidth on the order of optical frequency.

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“…7 (b). These transitions, which appear due to adiabatic population transfer, are analogous to those appearing due to metallization of dielectric nanofilms 11,13 .…”

Section: A Enhancement Of Reflection Of the Optical Pulsementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Enhancement Of Reflection Of the Optical Pulsementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Theory of dielectric nanofilms in strong ultrafast optical fields

Apalkov

Stockman

2012

Phys. Rev. B

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“…This mechanism relies on the effect of "adiabatic metallization", predicted theoretically for dielectric nanofilms [68,69]. It was found that a strong electric field can significantly and reversibly change the optical and electric properties of a sufficiently thin dielectric nanofilm.…”

Section: Adiabatic Metallizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast Control of Strong-Field Electron Dynamics in Solids

Yakovlev

Kruchinin

Paasch-Colberg

et al. 2015

Ultrafast Dynamics Driven by Intense Light Pulses

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We review theoretical foundations and some recent progress related to the quest of controlling the motion of charge carriers with intense laser pulses and optical waveforms. The tools and techniques of attosecond science enable detailed investigations of a relatively unexplored regime of nondestructive strong-field effects. Such extremely nonlinear effects may be utilized to steer electron motion with precisely controlled optical fields and switch electric currents at a rate that is far beyond the capabilities of conventional electronics. IntroductionIt has long been realized that intense few-cycle laser pulses provide unique conditions for exploring extremely nonlinear phenomena in solids [1,2], the key idea being that a sample can withstand a stronger electric field if the duration of the interaction is shortened. Ultimately, a single-cycle laser pulse provides the best conditions for studying nonperturbative strong-field effects, especially those where the properties of a sample change within a fraction of a laser cycle. The recent rapid development of the tools and techniques of attosecond science [3] not only creates new opportunities for detailed investigations of ultrafast electron dynamics in solids, but it also opens exciting opportunities for controlling electron motion in solids with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Conventional nonlinear phenomena that accompany the interaction of intense laser pulses with solids have already found a vast number of applications in spectroscopy, imaging, laser technology, transmitting and processing information [4]. It can be expected that the less conventional nonpertur-

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“…Related work with solids subjected to strong fields has also shown that the material may be reversibly changed from being a dielectric (insulator) to a semi-metal (conductor) in a femtosecond [9][10][11] .…”

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confidence: 99%

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2015

Nature

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Predicted Ultrafast Dynamic Metallization of Dielectric Nanofilms by Strong Single-Cycle Optical Fields

Cited by 66 publications

References 20 publications

Theory of dielectric nanofilms in strong ultrafast optical fields

Theory of dielectric nanofilms in strong ultrafast optical fields

Ultrafast Control of Strong-Field Electron Dynamics in Solids

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