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The Mott state in 1T-TaS2 is predicted to host quantum spin liquids (QSLs). However, its insulating mechanism is controversial due to complications from interlayer coupling. Here, we study the charge transfer state in monolayer 1T-NbSe2, an electronic analogue to TaS2 exempt from interlayer coupling, using spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscopy and first-principles calculations. Monolayer NbSe2 surprisingly displays two types of star of David (SD) motifs with different charge transfer gap sizes, which are interconvertible via temperature variation. In addition, bilayer 1T-NbSe2 shows a Mott collapse by interlayer coupling. Our calculation unveils that the two types of SDs possess distinct structural distortions, altering the effective Coulomb energies of the central Nb orbital. Our calculation suggests that the charge transfer gap, the same parameter for determining the QSL regime, is tunable with strain. This finding offers a general strategy for manipulating the charge transfer state in related systems, which may be tuned into the potential QSL regime.

We develop a unified theory for the second sound in two dimensional materials. Previously studied drifting and driftless second sound are two limiting cases of the theory, corresponding to the drift and diffusive part of the energy flux, respectively. We find that due to the presence of quadratic flexural phonons the drifting second sound does not exist in the thermodynamic limit, while the driftless mode is less affected. This is understood as a result of infinite effective inertia of flexual phonons, due to their constant density states and divergent Bose-Einstein distribution in the long wave length limit. Consequently, the group velocity of the drifting mode is smaller than that of the driftless mode. However, upon tensile strain, the velocity of drifting mode becomes larger. Both of them increase with tensile strain due to the linearization of the flexural phonon dispersion. Our results clarify several puzzles encountered previously and pave the way for exploring wave-like heat transport beyond hydrodynamic regime.