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Predicted Ultrafast Dynamic Metallization Of Dielectric Nanofilms By Strong Single-Cycle Optical Fields, Maxim Durach, Anastasia Rusina, Matthias F. Kling, Mark I. Stockman
Predicted Ultrafast Dynamic Metallization Of Dielectric Nanofilms By Strong Single-Cycle Optical Fields, Maxim Durach, Anastasia Rusina, Matthias F. Kling, Mark I. Stockman
Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
We predict a dynamic metallization effect where an ultrafast (single-cycle) optical pulse with a ≲1 V/Åfield causes plasmonic metal-like behavior of a dielectric film with a few-nm thickness. This manifests itself in plasmonic oscillations of polarization and a significant population of the conduction band evolving on a ∼1 fs time scale. These phenomena are due to a combination of both adiabatic (reversible) and diabatic (for practical purposes irreversible) pathways.