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Scanning tunneling microscopy of atoms and charge-density waves in 1 T -TaS sub 2 , 1 T -TaSe sub 2 , and 1 T -VSe sub 2

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA)
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (USA)

The surface atomic structure and the charge-density-wave (CDW) structure in the 1{ital T} phase of TaSe{sub 2}, TaS{sub 2}, and VSe{sub 2} have been studied at 4.2, 77, and 300 K. The response of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to the CDW superlattice in 1{ital T}-TaSe{sub 2} and 1{ital T}-TaS{sub 2} is extremely strong, while in 1{ital T}-VSe{sub 2} the CDW generates a much weaker response. In 1{ital T}-TaSe{sub 2} and 1{ital T}-TaS{sub 2} at 4.2 and 77 K the STM scans show a {radical}13 {bold a}{sub 0}{times} {radical}13 {bold a}{sub 0} pattern characteristic of a triple-{bold q} commensurate CDW structure. The atomic lattice and CDW superlattice are simultaneously resolved, but the atomic modulation represents a small fraction of the total STM deflection leading to a substantial variation in the atomic resolution. At 300 K we continue to observe a commensurate {radical}13 {bold a}{sub 0}{times} {radical}13 {bold a}{sub 0} CDW pattern in 1{ital T}-TaSe{sub 2} while 1{ital T}-TaS{sub 2} shows a modulated two-dimensional structure due to the incommensurate CDW wavelength characteristic of the nearly commensurate phase.

DOE Contract Number:
FG05-84ER45072
OSTI ID:
6880180
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA) Vol. 41:14; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English