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Charge density waves in the graphene sheets of the superconductor CaC6

Author

Listed:
  • K.C. Rahnejat

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

  • C.A. Howard

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

  • N.E. Shuttleworth

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

  • S.R. Schofield

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

  • K. Iwaya

    (World Premier International (WPI) Research Center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University)

  • C.F. Hirjibehedin

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL
    UCL, 20 Gordon Street, London WCIH 0AJ, UK.)

  • Ch. Renner

    (University of Geneva, 24 Quai E.-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.)

  • G. Aeppli

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

  • M. Ellerby

    (London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL
    UCL)

Abstract

Graphitic systems have an electronic structure that can be readily manipulated through electrostatic or chemical doping, resulting in a rich variety of electronic ground states. Here we report the first observation and characterization of electronic stripes in the highly electron-doped graphitic superconductor, CaC6, by scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy. The stripes correspond to a charge density wave with a period three times that of the Ca superlattice. Although the positions of the Ca intercalants are modulated, no displacements of the carbon lattice are detected, indicating that the graphene sheets host the ideal charge density wave. This provides an exceptionally simple material—graphene—as a starting point for understanding the relation between stripes and superconductivity. Furthermore, our experiments suggest a strategy to search for superconductivity in graphene, namely in the vicinity of striped 'Wigner crystal' phases, where some of the electrons crystallize to form a superlattice.

Suggested Citation

  • K.C. Rahnejat & C.A. Howard & N.E. Shuttleworth & S.R. Schofield & K. Iwaya & C.F. Hirjibehedin & Ch. Renner & G. Aeppli & M. Ellerby, 2011. "Charge density waves in the graphene sheets of the superconductor CaC6," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-6, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1574
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1574
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    Cited by:

    1. Nikhil Tilak & Michael Altvater & Sheng-Hsiung Hung & Choong-Jae Won & Guohong Li & Taha Kaleem & Sang-Wook Cheong & Chung-Hou Chung & Horng-Tay Jeng & Eva Y. Andrei, 2024. "Proximity induced charge density wave in a graphene/1T-TaS2 heterostructure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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