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Crystallization of polarons through charge and spin ordering transitions in 1T-TaS2

Authors :
E. S. Bozin
M. Abeykoon
S. Conradson
G. Baldinozzi
P. Sutar
D. Mihailovic
Source :
Nature Communications, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Nature Portfolio, 2023.

Abstract

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-TaS2 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.

Subjects

Subjects :
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.72f35b20664b50bb0d67d06f2ba512
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42631-6