Perturbation of charge density waves in 1T-TiSe$_2$

TL;DR

This paper uses low-temperature STM to study native defects in 1T-TiSe2, revealing how they perturb charge density waves and support the exciton condensation model of CDW formation.

Contribution

It provides atomic-scale insights into defect-induced CDW perturbations and links Ti intercalation to CDW suppression, supporting the exciton condensation theory.

Findings

Defects perturb charge density waves at the atomic scale.

Ti intercalation suppresses CDWs.

Results support the exciton condensation model.

Abstract

In this study, using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we focus on understanding the native defects in pristine \textit{1T}-TiSe$_2$ at the atomic scale. We probe how they perturb the charge density waves (CDWs) and lead to local domain formation. These defects influence the correlation length of CDWs. We establish a connection between suppression of CDWs, Ti intercalation, and show how this supports the exciton condensation model of CDW formation in \textit{1T}-TiSe$_2$.