Charge Density Waves in the Rare Earth Polychalcogenides

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9319196 Aronson The central objective of the proposed work is to delineate the occurrence and stability of Charge Density Waves (CDWs) in the layered rare earth polychalcogenides. This approach combines a synthetic solid-state chemistry component with physical measurements of crystal structure, electrical transport, and magnetic susceptibility and theoretical analyses of observed and predicted structural distortions in the CDW phase. By varying temperature, pressure, composition, and stoichiometry, the overall electron count and covalency in this nearly isostructural family of compounds can be controlled in a continuous manner, accessing the complete range of CDW stability. Of central interest is the identification and description of compounds in which the CDW is marginally stable, for here the underlying forces responsible for the CDW instability are most readily identified and ultimately can be used to predict new classes of CDW materials. ***