Hot-Phonon-Induced Distortion of Diamond Defects on Ultrafast Timescales
Terng Junn Keat1, Jiahui Zhao1, Jack M Woolley1
1University of Warwick, Department of Physics, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|December 5, 2025
Summary
We studied ultrafast dynamics in diamond defects, revealing localized phonons and transient hot states. These findings highlight unexpected nonequilibrium phonon effects, crucial for quantum defect engineering.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Engineering
Background:
- Diamond's high thermal conductivity typically facilitates rapid heat dissipation.
- Understanding defect-lattice interactions is key to controlling material properties.
- The N_{s}:H-C^{0} defect serves as a model for studying localized effects in diamond.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ultrafast defect-lattice dynamics in diamond.
- To explore the behavior of the N_{s}:H-C^{0} defect under excitation.
- To understand nonequilibrium phonon effects in diamond.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the N_{s}:H-C^{0} defect.
- Ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy.
- Ab initio calculations.
Main Results:
- Excitation of the defect's stretch mode generates localized phonons.
- A transiently hot ground state is formed, modifying the interatomic potential.
- Nonequilibrium phonon effects were observed despite diamond's high thermal conductivity.
Conclusions:
- Defect excitation can induce localized phonon dynamics and transient thermal states.
- These findings challenge assumptions about heat dissipation in diamond.
- Results have implications for designing and engineering quantum defects in diamond.
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