Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth and Electronic Structures of Monolayer GdTe3

Abstract

GdTe₃ is a layered antiferromagnetic (AFM) metal with charge density wave (CDW). We grew monolayer (ML) GdTe₃ on graphene/6H-SiC(0001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The electronic and magnetic structures are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, quasi-particle interference (QPI) and first-principles calculations. Strong evidence of CDW persisting at the two-dimensional (2D) limit is found. Band dispersions and partially gapped energy bands near the Fermi surface are revealed by the QPI patterns. By density functional theory +U calculations, AFM order with stripe pattern is found to be the magnetic ground state for ML GdTe₃. These results provide fundamental understanding and pave the way for further investigation of GdTe₃ at the 2D limit.