Multicolor phonon excitation in terahertz cavities

Abstract

Driving materials using light with more than one frequency component is an emerging technique, enabled by advanced pulse-shaping capabilities in recent years. Here, we translate this technique to lattice vibrations, by exciting multicolor phonons using terahertz cavities. In contrast to light, phonon frequencies are determined by the crystal structure and cannot readily be changed. We overcome this problem by tuning the frequencies of phonon polaritons in terahertz cavities to achieve the desired frequency ratios necessary for phononic Lissajous figures. This methodology enables dynamical crystallographic symmetry breaking and the creation of staggered phonon angular momentum and magnetic moment patterns.