Dynamical Transition in Sliding Charge-density Waves with Quenched Disorder

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamical transition in sliding charge-density waves with impurities, revealing a first-order transition between rough and flat phases driven by an external force, with implications for flux line behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical study of the dynamical transition in CDWs with quenched disorder, linking it to the transverse Meissner effect in flux lines, a novel insight.

Findings

Identifies a first-order transition at a critical force $F_c$

Maps the CDW dynamics to flux line behavior in superconductors

Shows disorder effects are washed out above $F_c$

Abstract

We have studied numerically the dynamics of sliding charge-density waves (CDWs) in the presence of impurities in d=1,2. The model considered exhibits a first order dynamical transition at a critical driving force $F_c$ between ``rough'' (disorder dominated) $(F<F_c)$ and ``flat'' $(F>F_c)$ sliding phases where disorder is washed out by the external drive. The effective model for the sliding CDWs in the presence of impurities can be mapped onto that of a magnetic flux line pinned by columnar defects and tilted by an applied field. The dynamical transition of sliding CDWs corresponds to the transverse Meissner effect of the tilted flux line.