Measuring phonon dispersion at an interface

Ruishi Qi, Ruochen Shi, Yuehui Li, Yuanwei Sun, Mei Wu, Ning Li, Jinlong Du, Kaihui Liu, Chunlin Chen, Ji Chen, Feng Wang, Dapeng Yu, En-Ge Wang and Peng Gao ()
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Ruishi Qi: Peking University
Ruochen Shi: Peking University
Yuehui Li: Peking University
Yuanwei Sun: Peking University
Mei Wu: Peking University
Ning Li: Peking University
Jinlong Du: Peking University
Kaihui Liu: Peking University
Chunlin Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ji Chen: Peking University
Feng Wang: University of California at Berkeley
Dapeng Yu: Peking University
En-Ge Wang: Peking University
Peng Gao: Peking University

Nature, 2021, vol. 599, issue 7885, 399-403

Abstract: Abstract The breakdown of translational symmetry at heterointerfaces leads to the emergence of new phonon modes localized at the interface1. These modes have an essential role in thermal and electrical transport properties in devices, especially in miniature ones wherein the interface may dominate the entire response of the device2. Although related theoretical work began decades ago1,3–5, experimental research is totally absent owing to challenges in achieving the combined spatial, momentum and spectral resolutions required to probe localized modes. Here, using the four-dimensional electron energy-loss spectroscopy technique, we directly measure both the local vibrational spectra and the interface phonon dispersion relation for an epitaxial cubic boron nitride/diamond heterointerface. In addition to bulk phonon modes, we observe modes localized at the interface and modes isolated from the interface. These features appear only within approximately one nanometre around the interface. The localized modes observed here are predicted to substantially affect the interface thermal conductance and electron mobility. Our findings provide insights into lattice dynamics at heterointerfaces, and the demonstrated experimental technique should be useful in thermal management, electrical engineering and topological phononics.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03971-9

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