Electro-Reflectance Spectra of Blue Bronze

TL;DR

This study investigates how the infrared reflectance of blue bronze varies with position under applied voltage, revealing surface effects and lower-than-expected intragap states related to charge-density-wave dynamics.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the spatial and spectral electro-reflectance behavior of blue bronze and examines surface effects on CDW properties.

Findings

Reflectance varies with position under voltage

Surface effects influence electro-reflectance spectra

Fewer intragap states than predicted by models

Abstract

We show that the infrared reflectance of the quasi-one dimensional charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor K0.3MoO3 (blue bronze) varies with position when a voltage greater than the CDW depinning threshold is applied. The spatial dependence and spectra associated with these changes are generally as expected from the electro-transmission [B.M. Emerling, et al, Eur. Phys. J. B 16, 295 (2000)], but there are some differences which might be associated with changes in the CDW properties on the surface. We have examined the electro-reflectance spectrum associated with CDW current investigation for light polarized parallel to the conducting chains for signs of expected current-induced intragap states, and conclude that the density of any such states is at least an order of magnitude lower than expected.