Coherent dynamics of the charge density wave gap in tritellurides

Abstract

The dynamics of the transient electronic structure in the charge density wave (CDW) system RTe₃ (R = rare-earth element) is studied using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (trARPES). Employing a three-pulse pump–probe scheme we investigate the effect of the amplitude mode oscillations on the electronic band structure and, in particular, on the CDW energy gap. We observe coherent oscillations in both lower and upper CDW band with opposite phases, whereby two dominating frequencies are modulating the CDW order parameter. This demonstrates the existence of more than one collective amplitude mode, in contrast to a simple Peierls model. Coherent control experiments of the two amplitude modes, which are strongly coupled in equilibrium, demonstrate independent control of the modes suggesting a decoupling of both modes in the transient photoexcited state.