Moiré modulation of charge density waves

Abstract

Here we investigate how charge density waves (CDWs), inherent to a monolayer, are effected by creating twisted van der Waals structures. Homobilayers of metallic transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), at small twist angles where there is significant atomic reconstruction, are utilised as an example to investigate the interplay between the moiré domain structure and CDWs of different periods. For CDWs, there is no geometric constraint to prevent the CDWs from propagating throughout the moiré structure. Whereas for CDWs, to ensure the CDWs in each layer have the most favourable interactions in the domains, the CDW phase must be destroyed in the connecting domain walls. For CDWs with twist angles close to 180∘, moiré-scale triangular structures can form; while close to 0∘, moiré-scale dimer domains occur. The star-of-David CDW () is found to host CDWs in the domains only, since there is one low energy stacking configuration, similar to the CDWs. These predictions are offered for experimental verification in twisted bilayer metallic TMDs which host CDWs, and we hope this will stimulate further research on the interplay between the moiré superlattice and CDW phases intrinsic to the comprising 2D materials.