Critical-state model for pinned charge-density waves: conditions and consequences of phase slip

Abstract

In a quasi-one-dimensional conductor, phase slips can occur in pinned charge-density waves (CDWs) even under zero electric field. The conditioons for their onset and their subsequent evolution are discussed in detail. Phase slips perturb the CDW phase over the phase-coherence length, which increases exponentially with a decrease in temperature because of exponential growth of the CDW elastic modulus. At low temperatures, phase slips should evolute into static soliton-like formations (CDW dislocations). The proposed critical-state model is in agreement with our previous experiments.