Indication of charge-density-wave formation in Bi(111)

Photoemission spectroscopy of Bi(111) reveals a small hexagonal two-dimensional Fermi surface (FS) associated with an electron band centered in the surface Brillouin zone. Along the hexagon the Fermi momentum k(F) ranges from 0.053 to 0.061 A(-1). Temperature dependent valence band spectra show an anisotropic energy gap Delta near the Fermi level. We find a transition temperature of about 75 K. At 11 K, the gap is Delta=4 meV at the corner and Delta=7.5 meV at the side of the hexagon. Arguments based on susceptibility chi(--> q) calculations of a hexagonal FS are used to discuss an incommensurate charge-density-wave (CDW) formation associated with a q(CDW)=0.106 A(-1).