Electron-lattice energy exchange in metal nanoparticles. Quantum-kinetic and classical approaches

Abstract

We obtained the electron-lattice energy transfer constant in metal nanoparticles (MN), in quantum-mechanical and classical approach using the deformation potential Bardeen-Shockley and found the changes of the electron-lattice energy exchange (due to the finite size MN) in the quantum kinetic approach caused by the discrete phonon spectrum. The condition when the discrete phonon spectrum could be observed via the electron-phonon energy exchange has been obtained. It was shown that the classical approach can be generalized for metallic clusters with ballistic motion of electrons (electrons move from one potential wall to another one). In this case, the electron-lattice energy exchange is quasi-periodic depending on the size of the cluster, and at certain cluster size, energy exchange is particularly size sensitive.