Real-time observation of nonlinear coherent phonon dynamics in single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are π-conjugated, quasi-one-dimensional structures consisting of rolled-up graphene sheets that, depending on their chirality, behave as semiconductors or metals; owing to their unique properties, they enable groundbreaking applications in mechanics, nanoelectronics and photonics. In semiconducting SWNTs, medium-sized excitons (3–5 nm) with large binding energy and oscillator strength are the fundamental excitations; exciton wavefunction localization and one-dimensionality give rise to a strong electron–phonon coupling, the study of which is crucial for the understanding of their electronic and optical properties. Here we report on the use of resonant sub-10-fs visible pulses to generate and detect, in the time domain, coherent phonons in SWNT ensembles. We observe vibrational wavepackets for the radial breathing mode (RBM) and the G mode, and in particular their anharmonic coupling, resulting in a frequency modulation of the G mode by the RBM. Quantum-chemical modelling shows that this effect is due to a corrugation of the SWNT surface on photoexcitation, leading to a coupling between longitudinal and radial vibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]