Density Waves in a Transverse Electric Field

TL;DR

This paper explores how a transverse electric field can destroy charge or spin density waves in quasi-one-dimensional conductors by breaking electron-hole symmetry, analogous to magnetic field effects on superconductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a mechanism for density wave destruction via transverse electric fields, highlighting the role of electron-hole symmetry breakdown in such systems.

Findings

Density waves can be suppressed by a transverse electric field.

The destruction mechanism is analogous to orbital effects in superconductivity.

Electron-hole symmetry breakdown is key to the process.

Abstract

In a quasi-one-dimensional conductor with an open Fermi surface, a Charge or a Spin Density Wave phase can be destroyed by an electric field perpendicular to the direction of high conductivity. This mechanism, due to the breakdown of electron-hole symmetry, is very similar to the orbital destruction of superconductivity by a magnetic field, due to time-reversal symmetry.