Publicação
Quantum theory of plasmon-phonon scattering in multisubband systems
| Resumo: | We present a first-principles quantum theory of a critical yet unexplored energy-loss pathway in low-dimensional semiconductors: resonant second-order scattering between multisubband (MSB) plasmons mediated by longitudinal optical phonons. Specifically, we demonstrate how a high-energy MSB plasmon decays into a lower-energy plasmon state via phonon emission-a fundamental process governing energy relaxation and decoherence in quantum wells. Through exact diagonalization of the coupled plasmon-phonon system and derivation of an effective Hamiltonian, we identify density-tunable resonance conditions that maximize scattering efficiency. Our numerical simulations for GaInAs quantum wells reveal scattering rates ( similar to 10ns-1) competitive with radiative losses, with carrier density acting as a control knob. These results resolve the interplay of collective electronic and vibrational modes in confined systems, providing design principles to mitigate losses in infrared photodetectors, quantum cascade lasers, and plasmon-based quantum devices. |
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| Autores principais: | Ribeiro, Sofia |
| Outros Autores: | Terças, Hugo |
| Assunto: | Multisubband plasmons Phonons Scattering processes |
| Ano: | 2026 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo original |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa |
| Resumo: | We present a first-principles quantum theory of a critical yet unexplored energy-loss pathway in low-dimensional semiconductors: resonant second-order scattering between multisubband (MSB) plasmons mediated by longitudinal optical phonons. Specifically, we demonstrate how a high-energy MSB plasmon decays into a lower-energy plasmon state via phonon emission-a fundamental process governing energy relaxation and decoherence in quantum wells. Through exact diagonalization of the coupled plasmon-phonon system and derivation of an effective Hamiltonian, we identify density-tunable resonance conditions that maximize scattering efficiency. Our numerical simulations for GaInAs quantum wells reveal scattering rates ( similar to 10ns-1) competitive with radiative losses, with carrier density acting as a control knob. These results resolve the interplay of collective electronic and vibrational modes in confined systems, providing design principles to mitigate losses in infrared photodetectors, quantum cascade lasers, and plasmon-based quantum devices. |
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