THz acoustic phonon spectroscopy and nanoscopy by using piezoelectric semiconductor heterostructures

Pierre Adrien Mante, Yu Ru Huang, Szu Chi Yang, Tzu Ming Liu, Alexei A. Maznev, Jinn Kong Sheu, Chi Kuang Sun

Research output: Journal article publicationReview articleAcademic researchpeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Thanks to ultrafast acoustics, a better understanding of acoustic dynamics on a short time scale has been obtained and new characterization methods at the nanoscale have been developed. Among the materials that were studied during the development of ultrafast acoustics, nitride based heterostructures play a particular role due to their piezoelectric properties and the possibility to generate phonons with over-THz frequency and bandwidth. Here, we review some of the work performed using this type of structure, with a focus on THz phonon spectroscopy and nanoscopy. First, we present a brief description of the theory of coherent acoustic phonon generation by piezoelectric heterostructure. Then the first experimental observation of coherent acoustic phonon generated by the absorption of ultrashort light pulses in piezoelectric heterostructures is presented. From this starting point, we then present some methods developed to realize customizable phonon generation. Finally we review some more recent applications of these structures, including imaging with a nanometer resolution, broadband attenuation measurements with a frequency up to 1 THz and phononic bandgap characterization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)52-65
Number of pages14
JournalUltrasonics
Volume56
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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