title: Coherent structural dynamics of a prototypical charge-density-wave-to-metal transition.
abstract: Using femtosecond time-resolved x-ray diffraction, we directly monitor the coherent lattice dynamics through an ultrafast charge-density-wave-to-metal transition in the prototypical Peierls system K(0.3)MoO(3) over a wide range of relevant excitation fluences. While in the low fluence regime we directly follow the structural dynamics associated with the collective amplitude mode; for fluences above the melting threshold of the electronic density modulation we observe a transient recovery of the periodic lattice distortion. We can describe these structural dynamics as a motion along the coordinate of the Peierls distortion triggered by the prompt collapse of electronic order after photoexcitation. The results indicate that the dynamics of a structural symmetry-breaking transition are determined by a high-symmetry excited state potential energy surface distinct from that of the initial low-temperature state.
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Huber
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: S O
authors: SO
authors: Mariager
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland and Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ferrer
authors: Physics Department, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Schäfer
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Johnson
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Grübel
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland and Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, EPF Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lübcke
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Huber
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kubacka
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Dornes
authors: Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, FR-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France and Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Laulhe
authors: Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, FR-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ravy
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ingold
authors: Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Beaud
authors: Physics Department, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany and Institute of Physics, Ilmenau University of Technology, D-98693 Ilmenau, Germany.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Demsar
authors: Institute for Quantum Electronics, Physics Department, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Johnson