Spatially Extended Charge Density Wave Switching by Nanoscale Local Manipulation in a VTe<sub>2</sub> Monolayer.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38451177.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00265.
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Abstract
Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide VTe<sub>2</sub> exhibits multiple charge density wave (CDW) phases, mainly (4 × 4) and (4 × 1). Here we report facile dynamic and tens-of-nanometer scale switching between these CDW phases with gentle bias pulses in scanning tunneling microscopy. Bias pulses purposely stimulate a reversible random CDW symmetry change between the isotropic (4 × 4) and anisotropic (4 × 1) CDWs, as well as CDW phase slips and rotation. The switching threshold of ∼1.0 V is independent of bias polarity, and the switching rate varies linearly with the tunneling current. Density functional theory calculations indicate that a coherent CDW phase switching incurs an energy barrier of ∼2.0-3.0 eV per (4 × 4) unit cell. While there is a challenge in understanding the observed large-area CDW random fluttering, we provide some possible explanations. The ability to manipulate electronic CDW phases sheds new light on tailoring CDW properties on demand.