Kinetics of a Phonon-Mediated Laser-Driven Structural Phase Transition in Sn2P2Se6
Abstract
We investigate the structural dynamics of the incommensurately modulated phase of Sn 2 P 2 Se 6 by means of time-resolved X-ray diffraction following excitation by an optical pump. Tracking the incommensurable distortion in the time domain enables us to identify the transport effects leading to a complete disappearance of the incommensurate phase over the course of 100 ns. These observations suggest that a thin surface layer of the high-temperature phase forms quickly after photo-excitation and then propagates into the material with a constant velocity of 3.7 m/s. Complementary static structural measurements reveal previously unreported higher-order satellite reflection in the incommensurate phase. These higher-order reflections are attributed to cubic vibrational terms in the Hamiltonian. Show more
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https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000323578Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Applied SciencesVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
MDPISubject
Structural dynamics; Time-resolved diffraction; Ferroelectricity; Incommensurate structure; Phase transitionOrganisational unit
02280 - NFS Molecular Ultrafast Sciences&Technol03920 - Johnson, Steven / Johnson, Steven
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