Structural Phase Separation Couples to Charge-Density-Wave Formation in Kagome Metal FeGe

TL;DR

This study reveals that structural phase separation is intricately linked to charge-density-wave formation in kagome metal FeGe, highlighting the importance of lattice distortions and strong lattice-charge coupling in stabilizing CDW order.

Contribution

The paper provides direct experimental evidence of a first-order structural phase transition associated with CDW formation in FeGe, emphasizing the role of lattice-charge coupling in this process.

Findings

Observation of lattice reflection splitting at TCDW indicating structural phase transition

Long-range CDW order only in lattice structures with compressed out-of-plane lattice constant

Strong lattice-charge coupling stabilizes the long-range CDW order

Abstract

The intertwining of charge, spin, and lattice degrees of freedom underlies the emergent properties of correlated materials. A recent prominent example is the kagome metal FeGe, which hosts coexisting charge density wave (CDW) and antiferromagnetic orders, accompanied by a lattice distortion associated with partial Ge-Ge dimerization. Using temperature-dependent high-resolution X-ray diffraction measurements, we observed a robust splitting of the lattice reflection into two coexisting peaks with distinct lattice constants at the CDW transition temperature TCDW, providing direct evidence for a first-order structural phase transition that is absent in samples with suppressed CDW order. Furthermore, the long-range CDW order was found to be only commensurate with lattice structures with the compressed out-of-plane lattice constant. The Landau free energy analysis shows that strong lattice-charge coupling is a key factor in stabilizing long-range CDW order. Our work clarifies the critical role of structural transformation in the CDW formation and opens opportunities for strain control of electronic phases in FeGe.