Electron–phonon coupling and lifetimes of excited surface states

• Published in: Surface science Vol. 593; no. 1; pp. 12 - 18
• Main Authors: Hellsing, B., Eiguren, A., Chulkov, E.V., Echenique, P.M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 20.11.2005; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron dynamics; Electron–phonon coupling; Exact sciences and technology; Excited surface states; Lifetime calculations; Metal surface physics; Non-adiabatic coupling; Physics; Surface electron states; Surface state lifetime; Metal surface physics; Electron–phonon coupling; Lifetime calculations; Surface state lifetime; Excited surface states; Non-adiabatic coupling; Surface electron states; Electron dynamics; Lifetime; Electron-phonon coupling; Excited states; Surface states
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2005.06.039

Many important chemical and physical phenomena are influenced by inherent dissipative processes, which involve energy transfer between the electrons (electron–electron scattering) and between the electrons and the ionic motion (electron–phonon scattering). The non-adiabatic interaction between the valence electrons and the ion motion in a solid reveals the break down of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. To pin down the influence of the electron and phonon structure on these scattering processes the two-dimensional surface states are ideal both from an experimental and theoretical point of view. Several experimental techniques presently in use are able to give information about the lifetime of an excited electron or hole in the surface state band. With help from advanced theoretical calculations it is possible to sort out the relative importance of the electron–electron and electron–phonon scattering processes responsible for the quenching of the excitation and to point out the key parameters of the electron and phonon structure.