Controlling phonon emission with plasmonic metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper proposes using plasmonic metamaterials to suppress phonon emission in electron systems, potentially enhancing device performance by providing a faster electron-plasmon scattering channel that protects against phonon-related energy loss.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism where plasmonic metamaterials reduce electron-phonon scattering, offering a new way to control phonon emission in electronic devices.

Findings

Plasmonic metamaterials can reduce electron-phonon scattering rates.

Alternative electron-plasmon scattering channels are faster than phonon emission.

Energy can be transferred back to electrons via Rabi oscillations or plasmarons.

Abstract

It is shown, that plasmonic metamaterial nanostructures could be used to reduce the electron-phonon scattering rate, by providing an alternative, fast electron-plasmon scattering channel. Since the plasmon-phonon and plasmon-photon scattering processes are relatively slow, this provides a mechanism for a hot-electron plasmonic protection against the phonon emission. The stored/protected energy can be returned to the single particle channel by processes similar to the Rabi oscillations, plasmon resonance energy transfer (PERT), or formation of plasmarons. This effect could be used to control phonon scattering in various electron systems, such as solar cells or high Tc-superconductors.