Domain-size effects on the dynamics of a charge density wave in 1T−TaS2

The phase diagram of 1$T$-TaS${}₂$ involves many different solid-state phases, including several different kinds of charge-density-wave (CDW) phase both commensurate and incommensurate with the underlying lattice. Recent experiments have shown that it is possible to drive transitions between these phases with intense femtosecond pulses of light. This work focuses on the light-driven transition from the nearly commensurate CDW phase to the incommensurate phase, using time-resolved x-ray diffraction. The authors find that the new incommensurate domains grow in a self-similar way. They also employ a double-pump method to study the dynamics and stability of the novel incommensurate phase during growth.