Charge order with unusual star-of-David lattice in monolayer NbTe2

TL;DR

This study reveals that monolayer NbTe2 exhibits a unique metallic charge-density wave state with an unusual star-of-David lattice, driven by Fermi-surface nesting, challenging previous understanding of Mott insulators in TMDs.

Contribution

It demonstrates a new correlated metallic phase in monolayer NbTe2 with an unusual lattice periodicity, highlighting the role of fermiology in charge order formation.

Findings

Monolayer NbTe2 has a root19xroot19 star-of-David lattice.

The metallic state shows no Mott gap, driven by Fermi-surface nesting.

Fermiology is crucial for understanding charge order in TMDs.

Abstract

Interplay between fermiology and electron correlation is crucial for realizing exotic quantum phases. Transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) 1T-TaS2 has sparked a tremendous attention owing to its unique Mott-insulating phase coexisting with the charge-density wave (CDW). However, how the fermiology and electron correlation are associated with such properties has yet to be claried. Here we demonstrate that monolayer 1T-NbTe2 is a new class of two-dimensional TMD which has the star-of-David lattice similarly to bulk TaS2 and isostructural monolayer NbSe2, but exhibits a metallic ground state with an unusual lattice periodicity root19xroot19 characterized by the sparsely occupied star-of-David lattice. By using angle-resolved photoemission and scanning-tunneling spectroscopies in combination with first-principles band-structure calculations, we found that the hidden Fermi-surface nesting and associated CDW formation are a primary cause to realize this unique correlated metallic state with no signature of Mott gap. The present result points to a vital role of underlying fermiology to characterize the Mott phase of TMDs.