Abstract
Two new transient phenomena have been observed in the nonlinear response, to repetitive pulsed current waveforms, of the charge-density wave (CDW) conductor NbSe 3. With unidirectional pulses, once a certain threshold current is exceeded, the conductivity rises gradually towards a steady value, with time-constant a few tens of microseconds. This behaviour is not due to the inertia of the CDWs, and is possibly of thermal origin. Only when a higher threshold current is exceeded does the initial increase in conductivity become practically instantaneous. With pulses alternately positive- and negative-going, the conductivity first rises beyond, and then decays to, its eventual steady value. The phenomenon is attributed to transitions between long-lived metastable states of the CDWs, in which pinning stabilises distortion caused by the current flow. There is some evidence that the conduction associated with motion of the CDWs is not wholly by the Fronhlich mechanism.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Physica B+C
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
