Dresden 2026 – scientific programme

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HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 8: Ultra-fast Phenomena I

HL 8.9: Talk

Monday, March 9, 2026, 17:15–17:30, POT/0006

Watching polarons form in real time — •Victor Garcia-Herrero and Fabio Caruso — Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany

Polaron formation in pump-probe experiments is a fast, non-equilibrium process arising from the coupled motion of electrons and lattice vibrations, leading to the emergence of a localized quasiparticle. A new first-principles quantum-kinetic approach is introduced to track the real-time dynamics of electrons and the lattice under electron-phonon interactions. We applied this method to the polar insulators MgO and LiF, and determine the characteristic timescales of polaron localization and identify its unique dynamical signatures. The results reveal distinct dynamical signatures of polaron formation and establish clear, practical criteria for its detection in ultrafast pump-probe experiments, providing a direct connection between theory and experiment.

Founded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), TIMES network.

Keywords: Polarons; Electron-phonon interaction; EPW; Polaron dynamics; Polaron fingerprint