CHARGE-DENSITY-WAVE PHASE-SLIP IN NBSE3

We have studied the phase-slip process by which charge-density-wave (C DW) current is converted to single-particle current at electrical cont acts. Transport and X-ray scattering measurements indicate that an exc ess voltage V(ps) dropped between current contacts induces a large sta tic deformation of the CDW phase. The measured V(ps)- and temperature- dependent phase-slip rates are consistent with a model in which CDW di slocation loops are thermally nucleated in the presence of these defor mations. The effects of impurities and contact perturbations on the ph ase slip process are also discussed.