X-ray multiple-wave coherent interaction in a quasi-two-dimensional material NbSe2-2H

The first observation of the X-ray multiple-wave interaction in an incommensurate charge-density-wave (CDW) modulated structure at low temperatures is reported for an example of a quasi-two-dimensional material, NbSe2-2H. Via the coherent interaction between the X-ray waves propagating in the CDW-modulated structure and the host structure, the phase-dependent intensity variations of a CDW reflection were detected. In accord with a centrosymmetric structure, the phases of the structurefactor triplets of two CDW reflections and a Bragg reflection of the host structure were determined to be either 0 or 180, and not to vary with temperature. Relative phase differences of the two CDW reflections are also deduced.