Direct determination of mode-projected electron-phonon coupling in the time domain

Abstract

A timely look into electron-phonon coupling The coupling between electrons and phonons—lattice vibrations in solids—is responsible for macroscopic quantum phenomena such as superconductivity. Yet, experimentally measuring this coupling as a function of momentum and for a particular phonon mode is tricky. Na et al. used time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to excite electrons in graphite and monitor their decay, which was accompanied by the release of phonons. The time constants of these decay processes provided direct information on electron-phonon couplings in this system. Science , this issue p. 1231