The manipulation of phonons is a challenging objective, which holds the promise of a step forward in the understanding of quantum physics and corresponds to the manipulation of sound and heat at the single quantum level. Therefore, the recently growing research field called “phononics” has great potential also for new technological applications.

Besides that phonons can be exploited for thermal logic gates and thermal memory, as recently proposed, they play a crucial role also in quantum information via spin- or electron-phonon interaction. Phonon management and control over the interaction between phonons and charges, spins or photons is key to develop electronic, optoelectronic, quantum, sonic and thermal devices.

However, phonon engineering requires new theoretical and experimental methods, especially when combined with low dimensional physics, which is one of the most promising routes for thermal management. We want to investigate the phonon dynamics in nanostructures such as nanowires. To this end, we want to establish sophisticated experimental techniques based on time resolved and pump-probe Raman scattering.

Therefore, the applicant is requesting funding for a mode-locked femtoscond tunable laser system and a triple spectrometer system with ultrafast high efficiency detector. This equipment will be installed in state-of-the-art laboratories of the applicant in the Department of Physics.

The proposed experiments are a challenging objective, which is however well founded on the expertise of the applicant.