X-ray diffuse scattering investigation of the pinning of charge density waves in doped K0.3MoO3

We present an x-ray study of the pinning of charge density wave (CDW) in the vanadium-doped blue bronze (K0.3 VxMo1−xO3). The observation of a +2kF−2kF asymmetry of satellite intensities allows to determine the average value of the phase of the CDW on the impurity sites. The observation of an asymmetry of the profile of the individual +2kF satellite reflection shows that the CDW is deformed in the vicinity of the impurity. These asymmetries can be explained by the screening of the V5+ impurity potential by the CDW.