Absence of $4a_0$ superlattice in bulk kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$


Abstract in English

The kagome superconductor AV$_3$Sb$_5$ (A=K, Rb, Cs) is a rare platform to explore the interplay between topology, geometrical frustration and symmetry-breaking orders. In addition to the charge density wave below $T_{CDW}sim94$~K and superconductivity below $T_{SC}sim3$~K, recent surface sensitive studies of CsV$_3$Sb$_5$ find evidence of 1$times$4 superlattices below $T^{*}sim60$~K. Interestingly, this unidirectional $4a_0$ phase may intertwine with charge density wave and superconductivity and possibly responsible for spectroscopic and transport anomalies below $T^{*}$. Here, combining high-resolution X-ray diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate that the 1$times$4 superstructure emerges uniquely on the surface and hence exclude the $4a_0$ phase as the origin of $T^{*}$ anomaly in the bulk CsV$_3$Sb$_5$.

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