Satellite-intensity patterns from the charge-density wave in potassium.

Abstract

The polarization vector \ensuremath{\epsilon}^ of the lattice displacement which accompanies the charge-density wave (CDW) in potassium is calculated. The angle between \ensuremath{\epsilon}^ and the CDW wave vector Q is found to be 43\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Since diffraction intensities of CDW satellites are proportional to (\ensuremath{\epsilon}^\ensuremath{\cdot}${\mathrm{K})}^{2}$, where K is the scattering vector, relative strengths of the 48 satellites which surround each Bragg point can be predicted for a sample having a random Q-domain distribution.