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Title: Ultrafast electron dynamics in platinum and gold thin films driven by optical and terahertz fields

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0068086 · OSTI ID:1887292
 [1];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [4];  [5]; ORCiD logo [6]
  1. Stockholm Univ. (Sweden); SLAC
  2. Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy)
  3. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States). Linear Coherent Light Source
  4. Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao (Spain). IKERBASQUE
  5. Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA (United States)
  6. Stockholm Univ. (Sweden); Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Here, we investigate the ultrafast electron dynamics triggered by terahertz and optical pulses in thin platinum and gold films by probing their transient optical reflectivity. The response of the platinum film to an intense terahertz pulse is similar to the optically induced one and can be described by a two-temperature model with a 20% larger electron–phonon coupling for the terahertz-driven dynamics compared to the optically induced one, ascribed to an additional nonthermal electron–phonon coupling contribution. Surprisingly, gold films exhibit a much smaller terahertz pulse-induced reflectivity change and with a sign opposite to the optical case. Additionally we explain this remarkable observation with field emission of electrons due to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling, enabled in samples with thicknesses below the structural percolation threshold, where nanostructuring promotes near-field enhancement. Our results provide a fundamental insight into the ultrafast processes relevant to modern electro- and magneto-optical applications.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Science Foundation (NSF); European Research Council (ERC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1887292
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 120; ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
Fowler-Nordheim tunneling
electro-optics
phonons
terahertz radiation
thermal instruments
thin films
transition metals
ultrafast processes