Sliding charge density wave in manganites

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the stripe phase in manganites is a charge density wave exhibiting collective sliding transport, with disorder-induced behaviors similar to known CDW systems, challenging previous interpretations of localization.

Contribution

It reveals that the manganite stripe phase is a charge density wave with collective transport, showing that complex behaviors can arise from known phases coexisting with disorder.

Findings

Resistance hysteresis and broadband noise typical of sliding CDWs

Disorder in manganites leads to behaviors similar to disordered CDW materials

Stripe phase identified as a charge density wave

Abstract

The so-called stripe phase of the manganites is an important example of the complex behaviour of metal oxides, and has long been interpreted as the localisation of charge at atomic sites. Here, we demonstrate via resistance measurements on La_{0.50}Ca_{0.50}MnO_3 that this state is in fact a prototypical charge density wave (CDW) which undergoes collective transport. Dramatic resistance hysteresis effects and broadband noise properties are observed, both of which are typical of sliding CDW systems. Moreover, the high levels of disorder typical of manganites result in behaviour similar to that of well-known disordered CDW materials. Our discovery that the manganite superstructure is a CDW shows that unusual transport and structural properties do not require exotic physics, but can emerge when a well-understood phase (the CDW) coexists with disorder.