Charge-density-wave structure inNbSe3determined by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract
Scanning-tunneling-microscope images of NbSe3 at 4.2 K show that all three pairs of chains in the unit cell carry a strong charge-density-wave (CDW) modulation. The high-temperature CDW is strongly localized on one pair of chains, consistent with previous conclusions. The low-temperature CDW forms on the remaining two pairs of chains in disagreement with previous results and analysis which concluded that only one pair of chains participated in the low-temperature CDW formation.