Fig. 1: Long-range ordered incommensurate charge density waves.
From: Endotaxial stabilization of 2D charge density waves with long-range order
a Schematic representation of ordered IC-CDW. The CDW is two-dimensional with little disorder. b Ordered IC-CDW illustrated as a crystalline charge-density lattice. Here, white spots represent charge centers. Inset) Fourier transform of the charge lattice shows well-defined peaks. c Associated periodic lattice distortions (PLDs) move tantalum nuclei (black spots) along the charge density gradient. Inset) Simulated diffraction shows sharp superlattice peaks decorating Bragg peaks. d Schematic representation of ordered IC-CDW in endotaxial polytype heterostructure. Mono- or few layers of endotaxially protected Oc-TaS2 hosts 2D ordered IC-CDWs. e Schematic representation of hexatic IC-CDW. The CDW phase is quasi-2D with non-trivial interlayer interactions, and hexatically disordered. f Charge density distribution is comparable to hexatically disordered crystal lattice. Inset) Structure factor reveals azimuthally diffused peaks—characteristics of hexatic phases. g Associated lattice distortion of IC-CDW with (inset) Fourier transform showing azimuthally blurred superlattice peaks while maintaining sharp Bragg peaks. h Schematic representation of hexatic IC-CDW in bulk 1T-TaS2 where every layer hosts disordered IC-CDW.
