Diffuse electron scattering and vacancy ordering in VO Possible role of charge density waves

Abstract

Electron diffraction patterns of disordered VO show extensive diffuse scattering and the presence of satellite spots which are incommensurate with the Bragg reflections. Annealed samples show evidence of a superstructure due to vacancy ordering with the superstructure bearing relation to the cubic lattice of the disordered phase, but no relation to the satellite spots due to diffuse scattering. The mechanism of diffuse scattering is discussed in terms of short-range order of vacancies as well as existence of CDW (charge density waves) and the latter model seems to be reasonable.