X-ray study of the density wave instability of α-(BEDT-TTF)2MHg(SCN)4 with M=K and Rb

We present an X-ray diffraction study of the quasi-2D conductors alpha-(BEDTTTF)(2)MHg(SCN), with M=K and Rb. They exhibit a phase transition of the density wave type at T-DW=8-10K and 12-13K respectively, evidenced by magnetoresistivity, specific heat, NMR and Hall constant measurements. The structural study shows the presence of satellite reflections already at ambient temperature. The related modulation is incommensurate with multiple harmonics. For some of the compounds studied, the intensity of the satellite reflections strongly increases below T-DW. According to Fermi surface (FS) calculations, the wave vector of the structural modulation achieves a quite good nesting of the global FS. This suggests a coupling of the modulation with the electronic degrees of freedom leading to a charge density wave ground state.