Real-space observation of incommensurate spin density wave and coexisting charge density wave on Cr (001) surface

Yining Hu, Tianzhen Zhang, Dongming Zhao, Chen Chen, Shuyue Ding, Wentao Yang, Xu Wang, Chihao Li, Haitao Wang, Donglai Feng and Tong Zhang ()
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Yining Hu: Fudan University
Tianzhen Zhang: Fudan University
Dongming Zhao: Fudan University
Chen Chen: Fudan University
Shuyue Ding: Fudan University
Wentao Yang: Fudan University
Xu Wang: Fudan University
Chihao Li: Fudan University
Haitao Wang: Fudan University
Donglai Feng: University of Science and Technology of China
Tong Zhang: Fudan University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract In itinerant magnetic systems, a spin density wave (SDW) state can be induced by Fermi surface nesting and electron-electron interaction. It may intertwine with other orders such as charge density wave (CDW), while their relation is still yet to be understood. Here via spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy, we directly observed long-range spin modulation on Cr(001) surface, which corresponds to the well-known incommensurate SDW of bulk Cr. It displays 6.0 nm in-plane period and anti-phase behavior between adjacent (001) planes. Meanwhile, we simultaneously observed the coexisting CDW with half the period of SDW. Such SDW/CDW have highly correlated domain structures and are in-phase. Surprisingly, the CDW displays a contrast inversion around a density-of-states dip at −22 meV, indicating an anomalous CDW gap opened below EF. These observations support that the CDW is a secondary order driven by SDW. Our work is not only a real-space characterization of incommensurate SDW, but also provides insights on how SDW and CDW coexist.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28104-2

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