Sliding-Mode Conductivity in NbSe3: Observation of a Threshold Electric Field and Conduction Noise

Abstract
Two new effects associated with Fröhlich sliding-mode conductivity have been observed in NbSe3. First, nonlinear resistance is observed only after a well-defined threshold field is reached. Second, electric fields above the threshold result in noise in the potential difference across a current biased specimen. We interpret the threshold field as direct evidence of charge-density wave depinning and the noise as a result of charge-density wave motion.