Local Atomic Structure and Discommensurations in the Charge Density Wave of CeTe3

H. J. Kim, C. D. Malliakas, A. T. Tomić, S. H. Tessmer, M. G. Kanatzidis, and S. J. L. Billinge
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 226401 – Published 5 June 2006

Abstract

The local structure of CeTe3 in the incommensurate charge density wave (IC-CDW) state has been obtained using atomic pair distribution function analysis of x-ray diffraction data. Local atomic distortions in the Te nets due to the CDW are larger than observed crystallographically, resulting in distinct short and long Te-Te bonds. Observation of different distortion amplitudes in the local and average structures is explained by the discommensurated nature of the CDW, since the pair distribution function is sensitive to the local displacements within the commensurate regions, whereas the crystallographic result averages over many discommensurated domains. The result is supported by STM data. This is the first quantitative local structural study within the commensurate domains in an IC-CDW system.

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  • Received 15 February 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.226401

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. J. Kim1, C. D. Malliakas2, A. T. Tomić1, S. H. Tessmer1, M. G. Kanatzidis2, and S. J. L. Billinge1,*

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
  • 2Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA

  • *Electronic address: billinge@pa.msu.edu

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Vol. 96, Iss. 22 — 9 June 2006

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