  We review recent studies of coherent phonons (CPs) corresponding to the
radial breathing mode (RBM) and G-mode in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)
and graphene. Because of the bandgap-diameter relationship, RBM-CPs cause
bandgap oscillations in SWCNTs, modulating interband transitions at terahertz
frequencies. Interband resonances enhance CP signals, allowing for chirality
determination. Using pulse shaping, one can selectively excite
speci!c-chirality SWCNTs within an ensemble. G-mode CPs exhibit
temperature-dependent dephasing via interaction with RBM phonons. Our
microscopic theory derives a driven oscillator equation with a
density-dependent driving term, which correctly predicts CP trends within and
between (2n+m) families. We also find that the diameter can initially increase
or decrease. Finally, we theoretically study the radial breathing like mode in
graphene nanoribbons. For excitation near the absorption edge, the driving term
is much larger for zigzag nanoribbons. We also explain how the armchair
nanoribbon width changes in response to laser excitation.
