Electron-phonon coupling in APd3O4: A = Ca, Sr, and Sr0.85Li0.15

TL;DR

This study explores how electron-phonon interactions influence the Raman spectra of narrow bandgap semiconductors APd3O4 (A = Ca, Sr) and a hole-doped variant, revealing enhanced coupling in the doped material at low temperatures.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of electron-phonon coupling in APd3O4 compounds and shows increased coupling strength in the doped system, supported by temperature and laser power dependence.

Findings

Observation of Fano-like lineshape indicating electron-phonon interaction

Enhanced electron-phonon coupling in Sr0.85Li0.15Pd3O4 at low temperatures

Identification of phonon modes consistent with factor group analysis

Abstract

Here we have investigated the role of electron-phonon coupling on the Raman spectrum of narrow bandgap semiconductors APd3O4 (A = Ca, Sr) and hole-doped system Sr0.85Li0.15Pd3O4. Four Raman active phonons are observed at room temperature for all three compounds as predicted by factor group analysis. The lowest energy phonon (~190/202 cm-1) associated with Pd vibrations is observed to exhibit an asymmetric Fano-like lineshape in all the three compounds, indicating the presence of an interaction between the phonon and the electronic continuum. The origin of the electronic continuum states and electron-phonon coupling are discussed based on our laser power- and temperature-dependent Raman results. We have observed an enhanced strength of electron-phonon coupling in Sr0.85Li0.15Pd3O4 at low temperatures which can be attributed to the metallicity in this doped compound.