Proximity induced charge density wave in a graphene/1T-TaS2 heterostructure
The proximity-effect, whereby materials in contact appropriate each other's electronic-properties, is widely used to induce correlated states, such as superconductivity or magnetism, at heterostructure interfaces. Thus far however, demonstrating the existence of proximity-induced charge-density-waves (PI-CDW) proved challenging. This is due to competing effects, such as screening or co-tunneling into the parent material, that obscured its presence. Here we report the observation of a PI-CDW in a graphene layer contacted by a 1T-TaS<sub>2</sub> substrate. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) together with theoretical-modeling, we show that the coexistence of a CDW with a Mott-gap in 1T-TaS<sub>2</sub> coupled with the Dirac-dispersion of electrons in graphene, makes it possible to unambiguously demonstrate the PI-CDW by ruling out alternative interpretations. Furthermore, we find that the PI-CDW is accompanied by a reduction of the Mott gap in 1T-TaS<sub>2</sub> and show that the mechanism underlying the PI-CDW is well-described by short-range exchange-interactions that are distinctly different from previously observed proximity effects.
Authors
- Horng‐Tay Jeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2881-3826)
- Eva Y. Andrei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2516-2749)
- Chung‐Hou Chung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1502-6022)
- Choongjae Won (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1148-0006)
- Michael Altvater (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2122-5888)
- Sheng-Hsiung Hung
- Nikhil Tilak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3804-555X)
- Sang‐Wook Cheong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9905-6175)
- Taha Kaleem
- Guohong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5442-8939)
Institutions
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (KR)
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (TW)
- National Tsing Hua University (TW)
- Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica (TW)
- National Center for Theoretical Sciences (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2024-09-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51608-y
- Citations
- 11
- Primary Topic
- Graphene research and applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.29
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of Energy
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- National Center for Theoretical Sciences
- National Research Foundation
- National Research Foundation of Korea
- Ministry of Education, India
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- National Tsing Hua University
- Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea
- National Science and Technology Council
- Division of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation
- Basic Energy Sciences