Nonlinear conductivity of quasi-one-dimensional TaS₃at low temperatures

Abstract

The nonlinear conductivity in orthorhombic and monoclinic TaS3 has been measured as a function of temperature from the Peierls transition temperature down to 4.2 K in the electric field range 10-2-500 V cm-1. At liquid-helium temperature a sharp increase in conductivity is measured in a very limited variation range of voltages. A general description based on phase-slip processes is given to explain these nonlinear properties in the whole temperature range.