Ultrafast Control of Material Optical Properties via the Infrared Resonant Raman Effect

The Raman effect, inelastic scattering of light by lattice vibrations (phonons), produces an optical response closely tied to a material's crystal structure. Here we show that resonant optical excitation of IR and Raman phonons gives rise to a Raman-scattering effect that can induce giant shifts to the refractive index and induce new optical constants that are forbidden in the equilibrium crystal structure. We complete the description of light-matter interactions mediated by coupled IR and Raman phonons in crystalline insulators-currently the focus of numerous experiments aiming to dynamically control material properties-by including a forgotten pathway through the nonlinear lattice polarizability. Our work expands the toolset for control and development of new optical technologies by revealing that the absorption of light within the terahertz gap can enable control of optical properties of materials over a broad frequency range.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates how resonant optical excitation of IR and Raman phonons can induce changes in optical properties of materials. Additionally, it explores the possibility of controlling optical constants through a forgotten pathway of nonlinear lattice polarizability, expanding the toolbox for the development of new optical technologies.