Commensurate-incommensurate transition in the charge-density-wave state of K/sub 0. 30/MoO/sub 3/

Journal Article · Tue Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.31.899· OSTI ID:6108182

Fleming, R M; Schneemeyer, L F; Moncton, D E

The ''blue bronze'' K/sub 0.30/MoO/sub 3/ has a charge-density wave (CDW) which forms at T = 181 K. At temperatures below 181 K, nonlinear conductivity due to charge transport by the CDW has been observed. We have performed x-ray and elastic-neutron-scattering experiments which show that at onset the CDW is incommensurate with a reduced wave vector of q = (0, 0.263, 0.5). The b( component of q is temperature dependent and the incommensurability delta = q-b(/4 decreases to zero near T = 100 K. Measurements of the threshold electric field for nonlinear charge transport show a broad decrease as the temperature is lowered beginning near 100 K. No increase of the threshold field in the commensurate CDW phase is inconsistent with the depinning of a rigid CDW, but may be explained by the transport of CDW phase solitons or dislocations.

• Research Organization: AT and T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974
• OSTI ID: 6108182
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 31:2; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603* -- Materials-- Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
LOW TEMPERATURE
MOLYBDATES
MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA WAVES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
REFRACTORY METAL COMPOUNDS
SCATTERING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WAVE PROPAGATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION