Phonon softening in individual metallic carbon nanotubes due to the Kohn Anomaly

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Oct 5;99(14):145506. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.145506. Epub 2007 Oct 5.

Abstract

We have studied the line shape and frequency of the G band Raman modes in individual metallic single walled carbon nanotubes (M-SWNTs) as a function of Fermi level (epsilonF) position, by tuning a polymer electrolyte gate. Our study focuses on the data from M-SWNTs where explicit assignment of the G- and G+ peaks can be made. The frequency and line shape of the G- peak in the Raman spectrum of M-SWNTs is very sensitive to the position of the Fermi level. Within +/- variant Planck's over 2piomega/2 (where variant Planck's over 2piomega is the phonon energy) around the band crossing point, the G- mode is softened and broadened. In contrast, as the Fermi level is tuned away from the band crossing point, a semiconductinglike G band line shape is recovered both in terms of frequency and linewidth. Our results confirm the predicted softening of the A-symmetry LO phonon mode frequency due to a Kohn anomaly in M-SWNTs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Nanotechnology*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon