Direct observation of large electron–phonon interaction effect on phonon heat transport

Jiawei Zhou, Hyun D. Shin, Ke Chen, Bai Song, Ryan A. Duncan, Qian Xu, Alexei A. Maznev, Keith A. Nelson and Gang Chen ()
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Jiawei Zhou: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Hyun D. Shin: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ke Chen: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bai Song: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ryan A. Duncan: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Qian Xu: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alexei A. Maznev: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keith A. Nelson: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Gang Chen: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract As a foundational concept in many-body physics, electron–phonon interaction is essential to understanding and manipulating charge and energy flow in various electronic, photonic, and energy conversion devices. While much progress has been made in uncovering how phonons affect electron dynamics, it remains a challenge to directly observe the impact of electrons on phonon transport, especially at environmental temperatures. Here, we probe the effect of charge carriers on phonon heat transport at room temperature, using a modified transient thermal grating technique. By optically exciting electron-hole pairs in a crystalline silicon membrane, we single out the effect of the phonon–carrier interaction. The enhanced phonon scattering by photoexcited free carriers results in a substantial reduction in thermal conductivity on a nanosecond timescale. Our study provides direct experimental evidence of the elusive role of electron–phonon interaction in phonon heat transport, which is important for understanding heat conduction in doped semiconductors. We also highlight the possibility of using light to dynamically control thermal transport via electron–phonon coupling.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19938-9

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