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

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 polar

SUBMITTER: Bozin ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10624925 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature