Real‐Time Observation of Slowed Charge Density Wave Dynamics in Thinned 1T‐TaS2

• Published in: Advanced Physics Research Vol. 3; no. 9
• Main Authors: Yin, Shenchu, He, Keke, Barut, Bilal, Randle, Michael D., Dixit, Ripudaman, Nathawat, Jubin, Adinehloo, Davoud, Perebeinos, Vasili, Han, Jong E., Bird, Jonathan P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley-VCH 01-09-2024
• Subjects: charge density wave; hidden states; metal–insulator transitions; tantalum disulfide; transition‐metal dichalcogenides
• ISSN: 2751-1200; 2751-1200
• DOI: 10.1002/apxr.202400033

Transient electrical pulsing is used to investigate the slowed charge density wave (CDW) kinetics of 1T‐TaS2. These measurements distinguish a fast response of the material, consistent with the onset of self‐heating, from much slower transients that occur on timescales orders of magnitude longer than this. The latter variations appear consistent with slow configurational changes in the CDW, which, due to the thin nature of the 1T‐TaS2, can be distinguished from the much faster dynamics of Joule heating. Experiments in which the cooling of the material is interrupted, demonstrate the possibility of “programming” it in different, strongly nonequilibrium, CDW phases. Collectively, the results point to the existence of a complex free‐energy space for the thinned material, whose multi‐valley structure and hidden metastable states govern the resulting thermal and field‐driven dynamics. Crucially, this work demonstrates that while the CDW dynamics in this material may have a thermal character, the timescales associated with these motions can be very different from those on which self‐heating occurs. This discovery will be important for efforts to implement active devices that utilize the CDW states of thinned 1T‐TaS2.
Fast electrical transients reveal the impact of current‐driven heating on the charge density wave (CDW) states of the layered conductor 1T‐TaS2. These measurements allow us to distinguish the dynamics of Joule heating from a much slower collective response of the CDW. These findings will be important for efforts to implement electronic devices that utilize the CDW states of thinned 1T‐TaS2.