Relaxation Dynamics of Photocarriers in One-Dimensional Mott Insulators Coupled to Phonons

TL;DR

This study investigates how photocarriers relax in one-dimensional Mott insulators with phonon coupling, revealing that phonon generation and spin-charge coupling suppression significantly influence relaxation processes.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of relaxation dynamics in 1D Mott insulators coupled to phonons using density matrix renormalization group methods.

Findings

Many phonons are generated dynamically even with small electron-phonon coupling.

Initial relaxation is driven by phonon generation after irradiation.

Spin-charge coupling is suppressed due to high- and low-energy state mixing.

Abstract

We examine recombination processes of photocarriers in one-dimensional Mott insulators coupled to phonons. Performing density matrix renormalization group calculations, we find that, even for small electron-phonon coupling, many phonons are generated dynamically, which cause initial relaxation process after the irradiation. At the same time, spin-charge coupling coming from mixing of high- and low-energy states by the irradiation is suppressed. We discuss differences between Mott and band insulators in terms of relaxation dynamics.