Is the ground state of alpha-(BEDT-TTF)2MHg(SCN)4[M=K,Rb,Tl] a charge-density wave or a spin-density wave?

Abstract

The nature of the low-temperature phase of the quasi-two-dimensional conductors $α-(BEDT-TTF)_2{M}Hg(SCN)_4$[{M}=K,Rb,Tl] is considered. It is argued that the magnetic field dependence of the phase diagram is more consistent with a charge-density wave, rather than a spin-density wave ground state. The phase diagram of a charge-density wave in a magnetic field is discussed using a Ginzburg-Landau free energy derived from microscopic theory. New experiments are proposed to test the charge-density-wave hypothesis and detect an additional high field phase.