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Crystallization of polarons through charge and spin ordering transitions in 1T-TaS 2 .
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2023 Nov 03; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 7055. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 03. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- The interaction of electrons with the lattice in metals can lead to reduction of their kinetic energy to the point where they may form heavy, dressed quasiparticles-polarons. Unfortunately, polaronic lattice distortions are difficult to distinguish from more conventional charge- and spin-ordering phenomena at low temperatures. Here we present a study of local symmetry breaking of the lattice structure on the picosecond timescale in the prototype layered dichalcogenide Mott insulator 1T-TaS <subscript>2</subscript> using X-ray pair-distribution function measurements. We clearly identify symmetry-breaking polaronic lattice distortions at temperatures well above the ordered phases, and record the evolution of broken symmetry states from 915 K to 15 K. The data imply that charge ordering is driven by polaron crystallization into a Wigner crystal-like state, rather than Fermi surface nesting or conventional electron-phonon coupling. At intermediate temperatures the local lattice distortions are found to be consistent with a quantum spin liquid state.<br /> (© 2023. The Author(s).)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37923707
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42631-6