Theory of the charge density wave in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>A</mml:mi><mml:msub><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">V</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>Sb</mml:mi><mml:mn>5</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:math> kagome metals

Abstract

The kagome metals $A$V${}_{3}$Sb${}_{5}$ ($A$=K, Rb, Cs) feature a three-dimensional charge density wave of a presently unknown character and origin. In this work, the authors use group-representation theory to construct a Landau free energy and demonstrate how the interplay between in- and out-of-plane ordering tendencies can stabilize nematic phases. The phases uncovered exhibit many features consistent with experimental observations.

Topics & Concepts