Control of Elementary Excitations by Acoustic Fields

Acoustic waves are elastic vibrations propagating either in the bulk (bulk acoustic waves) or along the surface (surface acoustic waves, SAWs) of a solid. The latter resemble seismic waves created during earthquakes. Acoustic waves can be electrically excited using piezoelectric transducers, a technique widely used in signal processing. In this core research area, we exploit high-frequency acoustic waves for the modulation and control of semiconductor nanostructures.

The fields produced by acoustic waves induce a time- and spatial dependent modulation of the materials band structure, thus changing the band gap as well as the optical properties. In addition, acoustic waves in piezoelectric materials are accompanied by a piezoelectric field, which strongly interacts with free carriers. Moreover, due to their moving nature, acoustic fields can generate mobile potentials for the storage and transport of carriers.

Our current areas of interest include the following topics:

Electric generation and propagation control of GHz acoustic waves: III-V semiconductors are piezoelectric: acoustic waves can be generated using appropriate transducers. Here, we investigate materials and structures for wave generation as well as for the control of their propagation.
Long-range carrier and spin transport in nanostructures: We exploit the moving character of SAWs to transport and manipulate carriers and spins in nanostructures. Also included here is the development of nanostructures with long spin lifetimes required for the long-range acoustic transport.
Control and transport of dipolar excitons: We use for that purpose long-living dipolar (or indirect) excitons in a double quantum well structure. These excitons have strong dipolar interactions, and their long lifetimes enable transport by the moving band gap modulations produced by a SAW.
Acoustic control of microcavity exciton polaritons (MP): MPs are light-matter particles resulting from the strong coupling between quantum well excitons and photons in a microcavity. MPs have long spatial and temporal coherence, which can be manipulated by dynamic acoustic fields.
Dynamic magneto-acoustic effects: we study here the interaction between dynamic acoustic fields and magnetic excitations such as spin waves in epitaxial ferromagnetic/semiconductors.
Acoustic control of single emission centers: SiC as well as 2D-materials such as h-BN host defect centers, which act as single photon emitters even at room temperature and can be manipulated and controlled by acoustic waves.

Selected Publications

18	Author	D. L. Chafatinos , A. S. Kuznetsov , S. Anguiano , A. E. Bruchhausen , A. A. Reynoso , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos , A. Fainstein
	Title	Polariton-driven phonon laser
	Source	Nat. Commun. , 11 , 4552 ( 2020 )
DOI : 10.1038/s41467-020-18358-z \| 3215 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { D. L. Chafatinos and A. S. Kuznetsov and S. Anguiano and A. E. Bruchhausen and A. A. Reynoso and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos and A. Fainstein }, title = { Polariton-driven phonon laser }, journal = { Nature Communications }, volume = { 11 }, year = { 2020 }, pages = { 4552 } } D. L. Chafatinos, A. S. Kuznetsov, S. Anguiano, A. E. Bruchhausen, A. A. Reynoso, K. Biermann, P. V. Santos, and A. Fainstein TY - JOUR AU - D. L. Chafatinos AU - A. S. Kuznetsov AU - S. Anguiano AU - A. E. Bruchhausen AU - A. A. Reynoso AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos AU - A. Fainstein TI - Polariton-driven phonon laser JF - Nature Communications JA - Nat. Commun. J1 - VL - 11 SP - 4552 PY - 2020/09/11

17	Author	A. Hernández-Mínguez , A. V. Poshakinskiy , M. Hollenbach , P. V. Santos , G. V. Astakhov
	Title	Anisotropic Spin-Acoustic Resonance in Silicon Carbide at Room Temperature
	Source	Phys. Rev. Lett. , 125 , 107702 ( 2020 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.107702 \| Download: PDF \| 3183 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. Hernández-Mínguez and A. V. Poshakinskiy and M. Hollenbach and P. V. Santos and G. V. Astakhov }, title = { Anisotropic Spin-Acoustic Resonance in Silicon Carbide at Room Temperature }, journal = { Physical Review Letters }, volume = { 125 }, year = { 2020 }, pages = { 107702 } } A. Hernández-Mínguez, A. V. Poshakinskiy, M. Hollenbach, P. V. Santos, and G. V. Astakhov TY - JOUR AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - A. V. Poshakinskiy AU - M. Hollenbach AU - P. V. Santos AU - G. V. Astakhov TI - Anisotropic Spin-Acoustic Resonance in Silicon Carbide at Room Temperature JF - Physical Review Letters JA - Phys. Rev. Lett. J1 - PRL VL - 125 SP - 107702 PY - 2020/09/03

16	Author	R. Fandan , J. Pedros , A. Hernández-Mínguez , F. Iikawa , P. V. Santos , A. Boscá , F. Calle
	Title	Dynamic local strain in graphene generated by surface acoustic waves
	Source	Nano Lett. , 20 , 402 ( 2020 )
DOI : 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04085 \| Download arXiv: 1909.12685 \| 3162 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { R. Fandan and J. Pedros and A. Hernández-Mínguez and F. Iikawa and P. V. Santos and A. Boscá and F. Calle }, title = { Dynamic local strain in graphene generated by surface acoustic waves }, journal = { Nano Letters }, volume = { 20 }, year = { 2020 }, pages = { 402 } } R. Fandan, J. Pedros, A. Hernández-Mínguez, F. Iikawa, P. V. Santos, A. Boscá, and F. Calle TY - JOUR AU - R. Fandan AU - J. Pedros AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - F. Iikawa AU - P. V. Santos AU - A. Boscá AU - F. Calle TI - Dynamic local strain in graphene generated by surface acoustic waves JF - Nano Letters JA - Nano Lett. J1 - VL - 20 SP - 402 PY - 2020/01/08

15	Author	A. Hernández-Mínguez , F. Macià , J. M. Hernandez , J. Herfort , P. V. Santos
	Title	Large non-reciprocal propagation of surface acoustic waves in epitaxial ferromagnetic/semicondutor hybrid structures
	Source	Phys. Rev. Appl. , 13 , 044018 ( 2020 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.13.044018 \| Download arXiv: 1911.11072 \| 3161 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. Hernández-Mínguez and F. Macià and J. M. Hernandez and J. Herfort and P. V. Santos }, title = { Large non-reciprocal propagation of surface acoustic waves in epitaxial ferromagnetic/semicondutor hybrid structures }, journal = { Physical Review Applied }, volume = { 13 }, year = { 2020 }, pages = { 044018 } } A. Hernández-Mínguez, F. Macià, J. M. Hernandez, J. Herfort, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - F. Macià AU - J. M. Hernandez AU - J. Herfort AU - P. V. Santos TI - Large non-reciprocal propagation of surface acoustic waves in epitaxial ferromagnetic/semicondutor hybrid structures JF - Physical Review Applied JA - Phys. Rev. Appl. J1 - VL - 13 SP - 044018 PY - 2020/04/07

14	Author	M. E. Msall , P. V. Santos
	Title	Focusing Surface Acoustic Wave Microcavities on GaAs
	Source	Phys. Rev. Appl. , 13 , 014037 ( 2020 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.13.014037 \| Download arXiv: 1908.04980 \| 3135 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { M. E. Msall and P. V. Santos }, title = { Focusing Surface Acoustic Wave Microcavities on GaAs }, journal = { Physical Review Applied }, volume = { 13 }, year = { 2020 }, pages = { 014037 } } M. E. Msall, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - M. E. Msall AU - P. V. Santos TI - Focusing Surface Acoustic Wave Microcavities on GaAs JF - Physical Review Applied JA - Phys. Rev. Appl. J1 - VL - 13 SP - 014037 PY - 2020/01/22

13	Author	A. Crespo-Poveda , D. D. Bühler , A. Cantarero Sáez , P. V. Santos , M. M. de Lima, Jr.
	Title	Semiconductor optical waveguide devices modulated by surface acoustic waves
	Source	J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. , 52 , 253001 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1088/1361-6463/ab1464 \| Download arXiv: arXiv:1811.03051 \| 3116 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. Crespo-Poveda and D. D. Bühler and A. Cantarero Sáez and P. V. Santos and M. M. de Lima, Jr. }, title = { Semiconductor optical waveguide devices modulated by surface acoustic waves }, journal = { Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics }, volume = { 52 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 253001 } } A. Crespo-Poveda, D. D. Bühler, A. Cantarero Sáez, P. V. Santos, and M. M. de Lima, Jr. TY - JOUR AU - A. Crespo-Poveda AU - D. D. Bühler AU - A. Cantarero Sáez AU - P. V. Santos AU - M. M. de Lima, Jr. TI - Semiconductor optical waveguide devices modulated by surface acoustic waves JF - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics JA - J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. J1 - JPD VL - 52 SP - 253001 PY - 2019/05/20

12	Author	D. H. O. Machado , A. Crespo-Poveda , A. S. Kuznetsov , K. Biermann , L. V. A. Scalvi , P. V. Santos
	Title	Generation and propagation of super-high-frequency bulk acoustic wave on GaAs
	Source	Phys. Rev. Appl. , 12 , 044013 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.12.044013 \| Download arXiv: arXiv:1907.09787v1 \| 3114 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { D. H. O. Machado and A. Crespo-Poveda and A. S. Kuznetsov and K. Biermann and L. V. A. Scalvi and P. V. Santos }, title = { Generation and propagation of super-high-frequency bulk acoustic wave on GaAs }, journal = { Physical Review Applied }, volume = { 12 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 044013 } } D. H. O. Machado, A. Crespo-Poveda, A. S. Kuznetsov, K. Biermann, L. V. A. Scalvi, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - D. H. O. Machado AU - A. Crespo-Poveda AU - A. S. Kuznetsov AU - K. Biermann AU - L. V. A. Scalvi AU - P. V. Santos TI - Generation and propagation of super-high-frequency bulk acoustic wave on GaAs JF - Physical Review Applied JA - Phys. Rev. Appl. J1 - VL - 12 SP - 044013 PY - 2019/10/07

11	Author	P. V. Santos , M. Msall , S. Ludwig
	Title	Acoustic field for the control of electronic excitations in semiconductor nanostructures
	Source	IEEE , Proceedings of the 2018 Ultrasonic Symposium , 1 ( 2018 )
DOI : 10.1109/ULTSYM.2018.8579769 \| 3112 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { P. V. Santos and M. Msall and S. Ludwig }, title = { Acoustic field for the control of electronic excitations in semiconductor nanostructures }, journal = { IEEE }, volume = { Proceedings of the 2018 Ultrasonic Symposium }, year = { 2018 }, pages = { 1 } } P. V. Santos, M. Msall, and S. Ludwig TY - JOUR AU - P. V. Santos AU - M. Msall AU - S. Ludwig TI - Acoustic field for the control of electronic excitations in semiconductor nanostructures JF - IEEE JA - IEEE J1 - VL - Proceedings of the 2018 Ultrasonic Symposium SP - 1 PY - 2018/12/31

10	Author	F. Iikawa , A. Hernández-Mínguez , I. Aharonovich , S. Nakhaie , Y.-T. Liou , J. M. J. Lopes , P. V. Santos
	Title	Acoustically modulated optical emission of hexagonal boron nitride layers
	Source	Appl. Phys. Lett. , 114 , 171104 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1063/1.5093299 \| Download: PDF \| 3087 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { F. Iikawa and A. Hernández-Mínguez and I. Aharonovich and S. Nakhaie and Y.-T. Liou and J. M. J. Lopes and P. V. Santos }, title = { Acoustically modulated optical emission of hexagonal boron nitride layers }, journal = { Applied Physics Letters }, volume = { 114 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 171104 } } F. Iikawa, A. Hernández-Mínguez, I. Aharonovich, S. Nakhaie, Y.-T. Liou, J. M. J. Lopes, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - F. Iikawa AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - I. Aharonovich AU - S. Nakhaie AU - Y.-T. Liou AU - J. M. J. Lopes AU - P. V. Santos TI - Acoustically modulated optical emission of hexagonal boron nitride layers JF - Applied Physics Letters JA - Appl. Phys. Lett. J1 - APL VL - 114 SP - 171104 PY - 2019/05/02

9	Author	A. S. Kuznetsov , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos
	Title	Dynamic acousto-optical control of confined polariton condensates: From single traps to coupled lattices
	Source	Phys. Rev. Res. , 1 , 023030 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.023030 \| 3078 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. S. Kuznetsov and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos }, title = { Dynamic acousto-optical control of confined polariton condensates: From single traps to coupled lattices }, journal = { Physical Review Research }, volume = { 1 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 023030 } } A. S. Kuznetsov, K. Biermann, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - A. S. Kuznetsov AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos TI - Dynamic acousto-optical control of confined polariton condensates: From single traps to coupled lattices JF - Physical Review Research JA - Phys. Rev. Res. J1 - VL - 1 SP - 023030 PY - 2019/09/26

8	Author	P. L. J. Helgers , H. Sanada , Y. Kunihashi , A. Rubino , C. J. B. Ford , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos
	Title	Sidewall Quantum Wires on GaAs(001) Substrates
	Source	Phys. Rev. Appl. , 11 , 064017 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.11.064017 \| Download arXiv: 1901.02735 \| 3077 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { P. L. J. Helgers and H. Sanada and Y. Kunihashi and A. Rubino and C. J. B. Ford and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos }, title = { Sidewall Quantum Wires on GaAs(001) Substrates }, journal = { Physical Review Applied }, volume = { 11 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 064017 } } P. L. J. Helgers, H. Sanada, Y. Kunihashi, A. Rubino, C. J. B. Ford, K. Biermann, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - P. L. J. Helgers AU - H. Sanada AU - Y. Kunihashi AU - A. Rubino AU - C. J. B. Ford AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos TI - Sidewall Quantum Wires on GaAs(001) Substrates JF - Physical Review Applied JA - Phys. Rev. Appl. J1 - VL - 11 SP - 064017 PY - 2019/06/10

7	Author	M. Yuan , A. Hernández-Mínguez , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos
	Title	Tunneling blockade and single-photon emission in GaAs double quantum wells
	Source	Phys. Rev. B , 98 , 155311 ( 2018 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevB.98.155311 \| Download: PDF \| 3044 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { M. Yuan and A. Hernández-Mínguez and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos }, title = { Tunneling blockade and single-photon emission in GaAs double quantum wells }, journal = { Physical Review B: Solid State }, volume = { 98 }, year = { 2018 }, pages = { 155311 } } M. Yuan, A. Hernández-Mínguez, K. Biermann, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - M. Yuan AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos TI - Tunneling blockade and single-photon emission in GaAs double quantum wells JF - Physical Review B: Solid State JA - Phys. Rev. B J1 - VL - 98 SP - 155311 PY - 2018/10/12

6	Author	A. Hernández-Mínguez , J. Lähnemann , S. Nakhaie , J. M. J. Lopes , P. V. Santos
	Title	Luminescent Defects in a Few-Layer h-BN Film Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
	Source	Phys. Rev. Appl. , 10 , 044031 ( 2018 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.10.044031 \| Download arXiv: 1902.08528 \| 3037 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. Hernández-Mínguez and J. Lähnemann and S. Nakhaie and J. M. J. Lopes and P. V. Santos }, title = { Luminescent Defects in a Few-Layer h-BN Film Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy }, journal = { Physical Review Applied }, volume = { 10 }, year = { 2018 }, pages = { 044031 } } A. Hernández-Mínguez, J. Lähnemann, S. Nakhaie, J. M. J. Lopes, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - J. Lähnemann AU - S. Nakhaie AU - J. M. J. Lopes AU - P. V. Santos TI - Luminescent Defects in a Few-Layer h-BN Film Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy JF - Physical Review Applied JA - Phys. Rev. Appl. J1 - VL - 10 SP - 044031 PY - 2018/10/11

5	Author	C. Hubert , Y. Baruchi , Y. Mazuz-Harpaz , K. Cohen , K. Biermann , M. Lemeshko , K. West , L. Pfeiffer , R. Rapaport , P. V. Santos
	Title	Attractive Dipolar Coupling between Stacked Exciton Fluids
	Source	Phys. Rev. X , 9 , 021026 ( 2019 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevX.9.021026 \| Download: PDF \| 3034 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { C. Hubert and Y. Baruchi and Y. Mazuz-Harpaz and K. Cohen and K. Biermann and M. Lemeshko and K. West and L. Pfeiffer and R. Rapaport and P. V. Santos }, title = { Attractive Dipolar Coupling between Stacked Exciton Fluids }, journal = { Physical Review X }, volume = { 9 }, year = { 2019 }, pages = { 021026 } } C. Hubert, Y. Baruchi, Y. Mazuz-Harpaz, K. Cohen, K. Biermann, M. Lemeshko, K. West, L. Pfeiffer, R. Rapaport, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - C. Hubert AU - Y. Baruchi AU - Y. Mazuz-Harpaz AU - K. Cohen AU - K. Biermann AU - M. Lemeshko AU - K. West AU - L. Pfeiffer AU - R. Rapaport AU - P. V. Santos TI - Attractive Dipolar Coupling between Stacked Exciton Fluids JF - Physical Review X JA - Phys. Rev. X J1 - PRX VL - 9 SP - 021026 PY - 2019/05/08

4	Author	A. Hernández-Mínguez , Y.-T. Liou , P. V. Santos
	Title	Interaction of surface acoustic waves with electronic excitations in graphene
	Source	J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. , 51 , 383001 ( 2018 )
DOI : 10.1088/1361-6463/aad593 \| Download arXiv: 1811.00040 \| 3028 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. Hernández-Mínguez and Y.-T. Liou and P. V. Santos }, title = { Interaction of surface acoustic waves with electronic excitations in graphene }, journal = { Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics }, volume = { 51 }, year = { 2018 }, pages = { 383001 } } A. Hernández-Mínguez, Y.-T. Liou, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - Y.-T. Liou AU - P. V. Santos TI - Interaction of surface acoustic waves with electronic excitations in graphene JF - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics JA - J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. J1 - JPD VL - 51 SP - 383001 PY - 2018/08/10

3	Author	A. S. Kuznetsov , P. L. J. Helgers , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos
	Title	Quantum confinement of exciton-polaritons in structured (Al,Ga)As microcavities
	Source	Phys. Rev. B , 97 , 195309 ( 2018 )
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevB.97.195309 \| Download: PDF \| 2976 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { A. S. Kuznetsov and P. L. J. Helgers and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos }, title = { Quantum confinement of exciton-polaritons in structured (Al,Ga)As microcavities }, journal = { Physical Review B: Solid State }, volume = { 97 }, year = { 2018 }, pages = { 195309 } } A. S. Kuznetsov, P. L. J. Helgers, K. Biermann, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - A. S. Kuznetsov AU - P. L. J. Helgers AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos TI - Quantum confinement of exciton-polaritons in structured (Al,Ga)As microcavities JF - Physical Review B: Solid State JA - Phys. Rev. B J1 - VL - 97 SP - 195309 PY - 2018/05/18

2	Author	Y.-T. Liou , A. Hernández-Mínguez , J. Herfort , J. M. J. Lopes , A. Tahraoui , P. V. Santos
	Title	Acousto-electric transport in MgO/ZnO-covered graphene on SiC
	Source	J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. , 50 , 464008 ( 2017 )
DOI : 10.1088/1361-6463/aa8e8a \| Download arXiv: 1708.05236 \| 2954 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { Y.-T. Liou and A. Hernández-Mínguez and J. Herfort and J. M. J. Lopes and A. Tahraoui and P. V. Santos }, title = { Acousto-electric transport in MgO/ZnO-covered graphene on SiC }, journal = { Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics }, volume = { 50 }, year = { 2017 }, pages = { 464008 } } Y.-T. Liou, A. Hernández-Mínguez, J. Herfort, J. M. J. Lopes, A. Tahraoui, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - Y.-T. Liou AU - A. Hernández-Mínguez AU - J. Herfort AU - J. M. J. Lopes AU - A. Tahraoui AU - P. V. Santos TI - Acousto-electric transport in MgO/ZnO-covered graphene on SiC JF - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics JA - J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. J1 - JPD VL - 50 SP - 464008 PY - 2017/10/27

1	Author	M. Yuan , C. Hubert , S. Rauwerdink , A. Tahraoui , B von Someren , K. Biermann , P. V. Santos
	Title	Generation of surface acoustic waves on doped semiconductor substrates
	Source	J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. , 50 , 484004 ( 2017 )
DOI : 10.1088/1361-6463/aa92a5 \| 2944 Cite : Bibtex RIS @article{ author = { M. Yuan and C. Hubert and S. Rauwerdink and A. Tahraoui and B von Someren and K. Biermann and P. V. Santos }, title = { Generation of surface acoustic waves on doped semiconductor substrates }, journal = { Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics }, volume = { 50 }, year = { 2017 }, pages = { 484004 } } M. Yuan, C. Hubert, S. Rauwerdink, A. Tahraoui, B von Someren, K. Biermann, and P. V. Santos TY - JOUR AU - M. Yuan AU - C. Hubert AU - S. Rauwerdink AU - A. Tahraoui AU - B von Someren AU - K. Biermann AU - P. V. Santos TI - Generation of surface acoustic waves on doped semiconductor substrates JF - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics JA - J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. J1 - JPD VL - 50 SP - 484004 PY - 2017/11/08