# Emergent Honeycomb Network of Topological Excitations in Correlated Charge Density Wave

## TL;DR

This study uncovers the atomic and electronic structure of a honeycomb network of topological excitations in a charge density wave material, revealing its connection to enhanced superconductivity.

## Contribution

It provides detailed atomic and electronic insights into the domain wall network in 1T-TaS$_{2}$ and links this structure to superconductivity enhancement.

## Key findings

- Atomic and electronic structures of domain walls characterized.
- Honeycomb network of topological excitations identified.
- Connection established between network and superconductivity.

## Abstract

When two periodic potentials compete in materials, one may adopt the other, which straightforwardly generates topological defects. Of particular interest are domain walls in charge-, dipole-, and spin-ordered systems, which govern macroscopic properties and important functionality. However, detailed atomic and electronic structures of domain walls have often been uncertain and the microscopic mechanism of their functionality has been elusive. Here, we clarify the complete atomic and electronic structures of the domain wall network, a honeycomb network connected by Z$_{3}$ vortices, in the nearly commensurate Mott charge-density wave (CDW) phase of 1T-TaS$_{2}$. Scanning tunneling microscopy resolves characteristic charge orders within domain walls and their vortices. Density functional theory calculations disclose their unique atomic relaxations and the metallic in-gap states confined tightly therein. A generic theory is constructed, which connects this emergent honeycomb network of conducting electrons to the enhanced superconductivity.