title: Predicted ultrafast dynamic metallization of dielectric nanofilms by strong single-cycle optical fields.
abstract: We predict a dynamic metallization effect where an ultrafast (single-cycle) optical pulse with a ≲1 V/Å field causes plasmonic metal-like behavior of a dielectric film with a few-nm thickness. This manifests itself in plasmonic oscillations of polarization and a significant population of the conduction band evolving on a ~1 fs time scale. These phenomena are due to a combination of both adiabatic (reversible) and diabatic (for practical purposes irreversible) pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA.
authors.forename: Maxim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durach
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rusina
authors.forename: Matthias F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kling
authors.forename: Mark I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Stockman