Incoherent topological defect recombination dynamics in TbTe_3
  We study the incoherent recombination of topological defects created during a rapid quench of a charge-density-wave system through the electronic ordering transition. Using a specially devised 3-pulse femtosecond optical spectroscopy technique we follow the evolution of the order parameter over a wide range of timescales. By careful consideration of thermal processes we can clearly identify intrinsic topological defect annihilation processes on a timescale ~30 ps and find a signature of extrinsic defect-dominated relaxation dynamics is found to occurring on longer timescales. 
T. Mertelj (1), P. Kusar (1), V. V. Kabanov (1), I.Fisher (2) and D.   Mihailovic (1,3) ((1) Complex Matter Department, Joze...
cond-mat.other cond-mat.mes-hall