Experimental Study of Ordering Kinetics in a Highly Degenerate Superlattice

Abstract

The evolution of domain ordering is studied with use of real-time x-ray scattering in stage-2, -4, and -6 Sb${\mathrm{Cl}}_5$-intercalated graphite, an experimental realization of a fourteen-state quasi two-dimensional superlattice. Quenching from the disordered phase reveals scaling behavior $L\sim t^{\alpha }$, with $\alpha =0.52\mathrm{}\pm 0.05$. Evidence for defect pinning is observed, leading to very sluggish long-time kinetics. The experimental findings are discussed in terms of recent theoretical predictions and Monte Carlo simulations of highly degenerate systems.