Nonlinear delayed symmetry breaking in a solid excited by hard x-ray free electron laser pulses

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4917506
• Publication Date: 2015-04-13T17:09:24Z
• Authors: A. Ferrer; J. A. Johnson; T. Huber; S. O. Mariager; M. Trant; S. Grübel; D. Zhu; M. Chollet; J. Robinson; H. T. Lemke; G. Ingold; C. Milne; U. Staub; P. Beaud; S. L. Johnson
• Keywords: Picosecond; Ultrafast electron diffraction; Crystal (programming language)

We have studied the ultrafast changes of electronic states in bulk ZnO upon intense hard x-ray excitation from a free electron laser. By monitoring transient anisotropy induced an optical probe beam, we observe delayed breaking initial c-plane symmetry crystal that lasts for several picoseconds. Interaction with pulses modifies state filling manner inconsistent simple increase temperature. These results may indicate way to use ultrashort investigate high-energy carrier dynamics and control certain properties solid-state materials.