Charge density waves in Nb3M4 (M = Se, Te) intercalated with Tl and In
LE3 .A278 2016
2016
Bennett, Craig
Acadia University
Bachelor of Science
Honours
Physics
Charge density waves (CDW) are a coupled modulation of the conduction electron density and host lattice structure that occurs primarily in low-dimensional compounds. The Nb3M4 (M = Se, Te) system consists of zigzag chains of niobium atoms which act as a quasi-one-dimensional structure, surrounded by an external framework of selenium or tellurium atoms. The lattice contains large hexagonal tunnels into which intercalate atoms may be added with negligible disturbance of the host lattice. We have observed, for the first time, that a CDW can be induced in the Nb3Se4 system via the intercalation of thallium or indium. The effects of varying intercalate concentration on the onset temperature and wavevector of CDW were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and electrical resistivity measurements. Energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to measure the concentration of intercalate and powder X-ray diffraction served to quantify the effects of intercalation on the host lattice.
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