Temporally Ordered Collective Creep and Dynamic Transition in the Charge-Density-Wave ConductorNbSe3

Abstract

We have observed an unusual form of creep at low temperatures in the charge-density-wave (CDW) conductor NbSe3. This creep develops when CDW motion becomes limited by thermally-activated phase advance past individual impurities, demonstrating the importance of local pinning and related short-length-scale dynamics. Unlike in vortex lattices, elastic collective dynamics on longer length scales results in temporally ordered motion and a finite threshold field. A first-order dynamic phase transition from creep to high-velocity sliding produces "switching" in the velocity-field characteristic.

Defects, Order, and Hysteresis in Driven Charge-Density Waves

“…Based on these results we argue that the current in the model should display switching (i.e., hysteresis). This is in qualitative agreement with recent transport experiments by Lemay et al [2].…”

“…These results are in qualitative accord with recent dynamical x-ray scattering experiments by Ringland et The effect of quenched disorder on a periodic medium has been the subject of intense study during the past decade. The rich phenomena displayed by these systems have raised intriguing questions [1][2][3]. These include the nature of the depinning transition, the effect of disorder on structural properties, and the possibility of the existence of nonequilibrium analogs of solids and liquids.…”

“…[1][2][3], particularly Joel Brock, for useful discussions and for communicating their work to us prior to publication. We thank Mark Sutton for useful discussions.…”

Dynamics below the Depinning Threshold in Disordered Elastic Systems

“…The physics of elastic systems in disordered media has been the focus of intense theoretical and experimental studies. A continuing challenge has been to understand their response to an applied external force f. Such a situation is relevant for a large number of experimental driven systems ranging from periodic ones, such as vortex lattices [1] and charge density waves [2], to interfaces, such as domain walls in magnetic [3,4] or ferroelectric [5,6] materials, contact lines [7], and crack propagation [8].…”

Charge-density waves at intermediate coupling

“…Over the past three decades, there has been a wealth of data on many CDW systems accumulated, with NbSe 3 probably being the most widely investigated (see Ong & Monceau 1977;Fleming et al 1978;Fleming & Grimes 1979;Grüner & Zettl 1985;Ségransan et al 1986;Grüner 1988Grüner , 1994Ross et al 1990;Monceau 2006;Lemay et al 1999;Ringland et al 2000;Danneau et al 2002;Requardt et al 2002;Schäfer et al 2003;Sinchenko & Monceau 2003;Perucchi et al 2004;Matsuura et al 2006; see Grüner for a review). There have also been theoretical works addressing various aspects of the problem (see Allender et al 1974;Lee et al 1974;Rice 1975;Rice et al 1976Rice et al , 1979Boriack & Overhauser 1977;McMillan 1977;Wilson 1979;Horovitz 1986;Bjelis 1987;Tucker et al 1988;Eremko 1992;McKenzie & Wilkins 1992;Buker 1999).…”