Realignment of the charge-density wave in TiSe$_2$ by variation of the conduction band population

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how varying the conduction band population in TiSe$_2$ influences the dimensionality and properties of its charge-density wave, providing insights into its excitonic origin and structural characteristics.

Contribution

It reveals a controlled method to modify the CDW dimensionality in TiSe$_2$ through conduction band population variation, linking electronic changes to structural and chiral properties.

Findings

CDW spanning vector shifts from 2x2x1 to 1x1x2 with conduction band population

Complete suppression of CDW occurs after a narrow population range

Results suggest a revised understanding of the excitonic CDW origin and chirality

Abstract

We study the dependence of the dimensional character of the charge-density wave (CDW) in TiSe$_2$ by a controlled variation of the number of available charge carriers in the conduction band. A change of dimensionality is realised by H2O exposure and monitored by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. The CDW spanning vector changes from 2x2x1 towards 1x1x2 in a narrow population range, just before a complete suppression of the CDW. Our findings enable a new view on the excitonic origin of the CDW, the relation between CDW spanning vector and periodic lattice distortion, and suggest modifications in the picture of the recently discovered chirality of the CDW.