Establishing nonthermal regimes in pump-probe electron relaxation dynamics
MengXing Na, Fabio Boschini, Arthur K. Mills, Matteo Michiardi, Ryan Day, Berend Zwartsenberg, G. Levy, Sergey Zhdanovich, A. F. Kemper, David J. Jones, A. Damascelli
Abstract
How do electrons relax after optical excitation? When does temperature become a well-defined quantity to describe the system, and what can nonthermal electrons tell us about microscopic interactions? Using state-of-the-art time- and angle-resolved photoemission, the authors track the evolution of nonthermal electrons dynamics in graphite over hundreds of femtoseconds. The Boltzmann formalism is used to model the dynamics beyond the use of effective temperature. Based on a quantitative analysis, distinct nonthermal phases in electron relaxation are identified.
Topics & Concepts
ElectronRelaxation (psychology)Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopyExcited statePhysicsThermalExcitationAtomic physicsCoupling (piping)Electronic structureCondensed matter physicsMaterials scienceQuantum mechanicsThermodynamicsSocial psychologyMetallurgyPsychologyElectronic and Structural Properties of OxidesElectrochemical Analysis and ApplicationsTransition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials