Evolution of a large-periodicity soliton lattice in a current-driven electronic crystal
Résumé
We report here on a detailed coherent x-ray diffraction study of the charge-density wave in K0.3MoO3 as a function of an external current. At threshold current, the charge-density wave undergoes a strong decrease of average amplitude keeping large correlation lengths. At the same time, an extra electronic modulation with large periodicity appears directly related to the sliding of the charge-density wave. This effect is interpreted as the formation of a soliton lattice and its evolution with respect to external current is investigated. The charge-density wave phase is found to undergo an anharmonic to harmonic transition when a current is injected.