Controlling adsorbate vibrational lifetimes using superlattices - art. no.085402

We propose using short-period superlattices as substrates to control the vi brational relaxation dynamics of adsorbate overlayers. The mass modulation of superlattices creates both band gaps and large spectral enhancements in the phonon density of states. These modifications can dramatically alter th e coupling between vibrational modes of the adsorbate overlayer and the sub strate lattice, thereby significantly affecting the lifetime of adsorbate m odes.