Ultrafast dynamics of excitonic self-trapping

Summary form only given. The localization of electronic excitations via electron-lattice interactions is an important process in a wide range of condensed matter systems, and has a dramatic impact on the optical and transport properties of materials. In this work, we have studied the dynamics of the formation of localized excitations by using femtosecond coherent phonon techniques to directly time-resolve the lattice motions associated with the localization process. These experiments have been carried out on a series of materials that have allowed us to systematically vary physical properties that directly influence the localization dynamics, including the strength of the electron-phonon coupling and the local geometrical structure.