Non-linear electrical response in a charge/orbital ordered $\Pr_{0.63}$Ca$_{0.37}$MnO$_3$ crystal : the charge density wave analogy

TL;DR

This paper investigates non-linear electrical conduction in a charge-ordered manganese oxide, proposing a charge density wave model to explain how current induces metallic pathways and resistivity changes.

Contribution

It introduces a phenomenological charge density wave model to interpret non-linear conduction in Pr$_{0.63}$Ca$_{0.37}$MnO$_3$, linking charge order breakdown to CDW motion.

Findings

Non-linear conduction linked to charge density wave dynamics.

Charge order breakdown can be modeled as CDW motion.

Resistivity drops due to metallic path formation.

Abstract

Non-linear conduction in a charge-ordered manganese oxide Pr$_{0.63}$Ca$_{0.37}$MnO$_3$ is reported. To interpret such a feature, it is usually proposed that a breakdown of the charge or orbitally ordered state is induced by the current. The system behaves in such a way that the bias current may generate metallic paths giving rise to resistivity drop. One can describe this feature by considering the coexistence of localized and delocalized electron states with independent paths of conduction. This situation is reminiscent of what occurs in charge density wave systems where a similar non-linear conduction is also observed. In the light of recent experimental results suggesting the development of charge density waves in charge and orbitally ordered manganese oxides, a phenomenological model for charge density waves motion is used to describe the non-linear conduction in Pr$_{0.63}$Ca$_{0.37}$MnO$_3$. In such a framework, the non-linear conduction arises from the motion of the charge density waves condensate which carries a net electrical current.