Coherent acoustic phonons in PbTe quantum dots

Femtosecond pump-probe studies at 1.5 μm of PbTe quantum dots in a glass matrix have revealed oscillations due to a spheroidal acoustic mode. The wavelength dependence of the observed frequencies indicates size selectivity. The frequency and damping of the mode as a function of wavelength agree with the predictions of an acoustic continuum model that suggests that the dominant damping mechanism is radiative loss from the dots to the surrounding glass.