Competing charge density waves and temperature-dependent nesting in 2H-TaSe2

Multiple charge density wave (CDW) phases in 2H-TaSe2 are investigated by high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction. In a narrow temperature range immediately above the commensurate CDW transition, we observe a multi-q superstructure with coexisting commensurate and incommensurate order parameters, clearly distinct from the fully incommensurate state at higher temperatures. This multi-q ordered phase, characterized by a temperature hysteresis, is found both during warming and cooling, in contrast to previous reports. In the normal state, the incommensurate superstructure reflection gives way to a broad diffuse peak that persists nearly up to room temperature. Its position provides a direct and accurate estimate of the Fermi surface nesting vector, which evolves nonmonotonically and starts approaching the commensurate position as the temperature is increased. This behavior agrees with our recent observations of the temperature-dependent Fermi surface in the same compound [D. S. Inosov, D. V. Evtushinsky, V. B. Zabolotnyy, A. A. Kordyuk, B. Buchner, R. Follath, H. Berger, and S. V. Borisenko, Phys. Rev. B 79, 125112 (2009).]