Coherent phonon-induced gigahertz optical birefringence realized in strontium titanate

Using ultrafast time-resolved pump detection technology, researchers led by Prof. Sheng Zhigao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have realized the gigahertz (GHz) frequency birefringence modulation induced by ultrafast coherent phonons in strontium titanate (SrTiO3) crystals.