Charge density waves in intercalated 1T-TaS₂

Abstract

Electron diffraction studies of alkali-metal (Li, Na and K) and rare-earth metal (Eu) intercalates of lT-TaS₂ reveal the existence of a number of complex super-lattice patterns which are interpreted in terms of a coupled charge density wave and periodic lattice distortion arising from a Kohn anomaly, rather than in terms of a simple ordering scheme for the intercalate ions. The results presented here are consistent with recent structural studies and band structure calculations for 1T-TaS₂.