New plasmon-like mode in PdTe$_{2}$: Raman scattering and memory function study

TL;DR

This study identifies a new plasmon-like mode in PdTe$_{2}$ through temperature-dependent Raman scattering, supported by theoretical modeling and phenomenological analysis, revealing its electronic origin and anomalous phonon behavior.

Contribution

The paper reports the discovery of a new plasmon-like mode in PdTe$_{2}$ and combines experimental Raman data with theoretical and phenomenological models to confirm its electronic nature.

Findings

New mode appears below 100 K at 250 cm$^{-1}$

Raman relaxation rate is linearly dependent on frequency

Phonon frequencies show anomalous behavior above 100 K

Abstract

PdTe$_2$ is a type II Dirac semimetal that has garnered significant attention due to its intriguing electronic and topological properties. Here, we report temperature dependent Raman scattering study of PdTe$_2$ in the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. Our study reveals emergence of a new unreported peak below 100 K, centered around 250 cm$^{-1}$. We argue that the new mode is not a phonon mode because the Raman spectra calculated using Density Functional Theory shows only two intense peaks at 85 $ cm^{-1}$ and 128 $cm^{-1}$. To ascertain the origin of this new peak, we constructed a microscopic model of electrons coupling to a single plasmon mode at 250 $cm^{-1}$ and using the memory function formalism, we obtained that the Raman relaxation rate is linear in frequency. We also performed phenomenological analysis of the Raman response from the experimental data and computed frequency dependent Raman relaxation rate, which is also found to exhibit a linear dependence on frequency. With the congruence of our theoretical and phenomenological results we could ascertain that the new mode observed at low temperatures is indeed a plasmon-like mode. Further, phonon frequencies and line widths of the two phonon modes exhibit anomalous behavior above 100 K.