Tellurium square-net CDW superlattices

Two-dimensional square nets of tellurium in rare-earth chalcogen binary phases are observed to exist in charge density wave (CDW) states. Resolution of the modulated structure is facilitated by X-ray and electron diffraction data. Resistivity measurements at and below room temperature show that these layers are good metals along the directions of the Te square nets despite the CDW distortion of the lattice. Analysis of electronic structure provides a means for rationalization of the CDW. As these super lattices remain metallic, they differ from analogous insulating rare-earth selenide super lattices.