Charge Density Waves in Unconventional Metal ScV6Sn6

The scientific community has long been fascinated by the mysterious behavior of charge density waves (CDWs) in certain metals, particularly those based on vanadium in the kagome structure. A recent breakthrough, outlined in the paper titled “Phonon Promoted Charge Density Wave in Topological Kagome Metal ScV6Sn6” offers new insights into the origin of CDW origin.

 Through a combination of high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory, the study not only deepened our understanding of ScV6Sn6 but also provides broader insights into the fundamental mechanisms driving CDW orders in vanadium-based kagome metals. The observed Van Hove Singularity aligning with the in-plane component of the CDW vector near the K point and strong electron-phonon coupling underscores the crucial role of lattice dynamics in initiating CDW formation.