Superlattice structure of Nb3Te4 at low temperatures

Abstract A quasi-one-dimensional metal Nb 3 Te 4 exhibits a superlattice structure below about 100 K. The phenomenon is revealed by electron diffraction for the first time. A clear domain pattern is observed by electron microscope images by both host lattice diffraction and superlattice diffraction beams. The wavevectors for the superlattice are described by q ∗ ± = 1 1.5a ∗ ± 3 7c ∗ with reciprocal lattice vectors. The cause of the superlattice generation is attributed to the charge-density-wave which couples strongly with lattice waves so that a deformation of the crystal lattice resulted.