Optical Excitation

Consider ionic crystals.

q

q
C

Consider x-directed propagating transverse electric field.

The electric field will force the atoms to oscillate at frequency 0.

2u2 n
Ct u2 n 1 u2 n 1 2u2 n qE0 e i0t
2
t
2u2 n 1
Ct u2 n 2 u2 n 2u2 n 1 qE0 e i0t
F2 n 1 M
2
t
F2 n m

Solutions
Replacing the solutions in the equations of motion

2C m u
C 1 e u
2
0

2n

Ct 1 e i 2 ka u2 n 1 qE0 e i0t

i 2 ka

2n

2C M 02 u2 n 1 qE0 e i0t

Assume k = 0, so that

e i 2 ka 1
Simplification:

2C m u 2C u
2C u 2C M u
2
0

2n

t 2 n 1

2
0

t 2n

qE0 e i0t

2 n 1

qE0 e i0t
3

Solutions
u2 n

qE0 / m i0t
e
02 2 (0)

u2 n 1

qE0 / M i0t
e
02 2 (0)

+(0) is the transverse optical mode frequency for k = 0

(0)

2Ct (m M )
mM

Resonance
0 (0)
Mathematically, the amplitude of oscillation becomes infinite at
resonance.
Reradiation: Accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic energy
strong reradiation of energy at the excitation frequency.

Reflections
Electromagnetic signals with frequency near resonance exhibit
reflection from the crystal.
Thi
This behavior
b h i can be
b explained
l i d from
f
the
th change
h
off the
th index
i d off
refraction
Dielectric constant Dipole moment
Oscillation amplitude
Refractive index is determined by the dielectric constant and
will experience a sharp change near resonance.
Continuous spectrum infrared radiation can be converted into
monochromatic by multiple reflections Forbidden band.
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Reststrahlen Effect
The radiation by the ionic substance is called Reststrahlen effect
Observed only in crystals in which the atoms of the lattice
are ionized.
i i d
Direct measure of the ionicity of the crystal.
Stronger in NaCl than in GaAs.

Three-Dimensions
A real crystal expands in all three dimensions Lattice
vibrations become more complex.

i kR t

uR (t ) Ae

Two types of vibrations:

Acoustic
Longitudinal
Transverse
Optical
Longitudinal
Transverse
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Class Test 1
23 May 2012
Syllabus: Lectures 114
4

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