A full gap above the Fermi level: the charge density wave of monolayer VS₂.

ABSTRACT: In the standard model of charge density wave (CDW) transitions, the displacement along a single phonon mode lowers the total electronic energy by creating a gap at the Fermi level, making the CDW a metal-insulator transition. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we show that VS₂ realizes a CDW which stands out of this standard model. There is a full CDW gap residing in the unoccupied states of monolayer VS₂. At the Fermi level, the CDW induces a topological metal-metal (Lifshitz) transition. Non-linear coupling of transverse and longitudinal phonons is essential for the formation of the CDW and the full gap above the Fermi level. Additionally, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism reveals the absence of net magnetization in this phase, pointing to coexisting charge and spin density waves in the ground state.

SUBMITTER: van Efferen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8617271 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature