The discovery of a charge-density wave (CDW) in a-U at ~43 K is reported. The mode corresponds to the condensation of a longitudinal-optic phonon near q = [ 2,0,0] in which the atoms are displaced by ~0.006 A from their special positions. Large precursor effects are seen in the phonon spectra. The wave vector of the CDW is related to that of the fundamental lattice in a rather complex way, which is discussed in terms of discommensurations between the CDW (OL' phase) and the primary a phase.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.