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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Electron-induced nonlinear dynamics in atomic chains

Line Jelver1 and Joel D. Cox1,2,*

  • 1POLIMA—Center for Polariton-Driven Light-Matter Interactions, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
  • 2Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark

  • *cox@mci.sdu.dk
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Phys. Rev. Research 5, L022015 – Published 21 April, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.L022015

Abstract

We study the nonlinear response of collective optical resonances in linear atomic chains with metallic, semiconducting, and topologically insulating character to low-energy free electrons. The nonlinearity, which manifests in the amplitude and frequency of resonant features in cathodoluminescence and electron energy-loss spectra, is shown to depend on the speed and trajectory of the excitation as well as the length and electronic structure of the chain. Time-domain analysis of charge carrier dynamics within the atomic chain reveals that the Fermi velocity sets the threshold speed for triggering an electron-induced nonlinear response, a phenomenon which can elucidate nonlinear light-matter interactions on the nanoscale.

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Phys. Rev. Research 5, L022015– Published 21 April, 2023
  • Received 21 December 2022
  • Accepted 20 March 2023
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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