Nonlinear behavior in the radio-frequency and dc ranges for quasi-one-dimensional metals

Quasi-one-dimensional metals showing metal-insulator transitions represent a new class of synthetic material characterized by interesting properties not found in ordinary metals. The main interest attaches to the temperature range on both sides of the transition point. Above that point, the electron and phonon systems are sensitive to external fields because of charge-density wave fluctuations, and nonlinear effects may occur. Below the transition point, there are also nonlinear phenomena associated with collective transport processes involving CDW. Interest attaches to one-dimensional crystals showing threshold phenomena below the transition point associated with CDW depinning by external electric fields. A few studies have been made on nonlinearity in these metals in the radio-frequency range, including uhf, which provide additional information on the kinetic phenomena, but which in most cases still require explanation and theoretical description. The bolometer effect in the region of the metal-insulator transition is the most obvious and clearly understood, and this has engineering uses. Other nonlinear phenomena associated with electron-subsystem heating or CDW motion are also of interest for applications, but further research is required because theoretical models are lacking or are ambiguous. This survey has dealt only with a very few quasi-one-dimensional conductors so far synthesized, so one hopes that measurements on existing and new metals will provide interesting evidence capable of extending our concepts on the physics of these systems and enabling engineering applications. © 1986 Plenum Publishing Corporation.