Photoinduced phase heterogeneity and charge localization in SnSe

TL;DR

This study uses time-resolved THz spectroscopy to reveal how photoexcitation induces phase heterogeneity and charge localization in SnSe, with fluence-dependent dynamics indicating a transition to higher-symmetry phases within 200 fs.

Contribution

It demonstrates the ultrafast, non-thermal nucleation of higher-symmetry, semi-metallic phase domains in SnSe upon photoexcitation, revealing new phase transition pathways.

Findings

Suppression of DC photoconductivity at higher fluences.

Observation of phonon mode shifts indicating phase transition.

Detection of a transient heterogeneity component decaying over 90 ps.

Abstract

Time-resolved multi-terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is used to observe pump fluence-dependent dynamics in the optical conductivity of photoexcited tin selenide (SnSe) over an ultrabroadband spectral range of 0.5 - 11 THz at fluences from 0.1 - 7.5 mJ/cm$^2$. A free carrier Drude spectrum is observed at pump fluences below 3 mJ/cm$^2$, with optical phonons well described by the equilibrium Pnma structural phase. With increasing fluence, a suppression of the DC photoconductivity is observed, indicating an interruption of long range transport due to phase disorder. Concomitantly, the optical phonons exhibit features that can no longer be explained by a pure Pnma phase, with a frequency shift and narrowing of the $B^2_{1u}$ mode and a new mode appearing at $\sim$3.0 THz consistent with a transition to a higher-symmetry structure. At an intermediate fluence of 3.1 mJ/cm$^2$, a high frequency Lorentzian component consistent with phase heterogeneity appears that rapidly redshifts after 2 ps and whose amplitude exponentially decays on a 90 ps time scale. Our experimental measurements and theoretical calculations provide evidence for a non-thermal, photo-induced nucleation of higher symmetry, semi-metallic phase domains in SnSe appearing within 200 fs.