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Independent coherent control of phonon mode amplitudes in bismuth thin films via polarization and double-pulse manipulation

Jonathan Frank1, Felix Hoff1,*, Timo Veslin1, Felix Nöhl1, Julian Mertens1, Lutz Waldecker2, Gero von Plessen1, and Matthias Wuttig1,3

  • 11st Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University, Sommerfeldstraße 14, 52074 Aachen, Germany
  • 22nd Institute of Physics and JARA-FIT, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
  • 3Peter Grünberg Institute - JARA-Institute Energy Efficient Information Technology (PGI-10), Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany

  • *Contact author: hoff@physik.rwth-aachen.de
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Phys. Rev. B 113, 104310 – Published 23 March, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pwxy-djjb

Abstract

We demonstrate an approach for the selective modulation of the A1g and 1Eg optical phonon amplitudes in bismuth thin films. Combining polarization-sensitive excitation with controlled pump-pulse delays, this is shown to enable the targeted manipulation of the reflectivity signals associated with distinct phonon modes. Employing an electro-optic detection scheme reveals that the observed changes arise from selective amplification or suppression of specific symmetry components within the detected signal. This combined excitation and detection strategy is broadly applicable to other material systems and may facilitate pathways for ultrafast phononic information processing and nanoscale thermal management, critical for next-generation optoelectronic technologies.

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Phys. Rev. B 113, 104310– Published 23 March, 2026
  • Received 10 November 2025
  • Revised 27 January 2026
  • Accepted 25 February 2026
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