Modulation of the probe signal in coherent phonon detection revisited: Analytical and first-principles computational analyses

Abstract

Modulation of probe signal in pump-probe measurements of coherent phonons in dielectrics, with and without spectral resolution, are investigated theoretically taking diamond as an example. Analytical investigation as well as first-principles calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory is utilized to clarify the mechanism of the modulation of the probe signals. Boundary and bulk effects are investigated systematically, putting emphasis on the phase relation between the modulation and the atomic motion of the coherent phonon. They are summarized as follows: Modulation by the boundary effect is in phase with the coherent phonon amplitude, while that by the bulk effect shows $\pi/2$ phase difference. Strong frequency dependence appears in the modulation by the bulk effect, while no frequency dependence by the boundary effect. First-principles calculations support the reliability of the analytical result.