Possibility of dynamic transitions in sliding charge-density waves

The transport properties of charge-density waves have been studied in ortho rhombic TaS3 as a function of the electric field. In the sliding state, we found that the power of the fundamental component of narrow-band noise has a minimum value at a bias voltage V-c. Moreover, the field dependence of th e non-linear current carried by CDW changes abruptly at V-c. These results suggest the existence of a dynamic phase transition between plastic-flow ph ase and fluid-solid phase. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.