The dynamics of charge-density waves

G. Grüner
Rev. Mod. Phys. 60, 1129 – Published 1 October 1988
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Abstract

In many materials with a highly anisotropic band structure, electron-phonon interactions lead to a novel type of ground state called the charge-density wave. The condensate is pinned to the underlying lattice by impurities and by boundary effects, but can, even for small electric fields, carry current in a fashion originally envisioned by Fröhlich. This review discusses some of the underlying theories and the main experimental observations on this new collective transport phenomenon. The frequency- and electric-field-dependent conductivity, current oscillations, electric-field-dependent transport coefficients and elastic properties, together with nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments, provide clear evidence for a translational motion of the condensate. Various theories, involving classical and quantum-mechanical concepts, are able to account for a broad variety of experimental findings, which were also made in the presence of combined dc and ac fields.

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.60.1129

    ©1988 American Physical Society

    Authors & Affiliations

    G. Grüner

    • Department of Physics and Solid State Science Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024

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    Issue

    Vol. 60, Iss. 4 — October - December 1988

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