High-frequency, ‘quantum’ and electromechanical effects in quasi-one-dimensional charge density wave conductors

Recent results (some previously unpublished) on the physics of charge density waves (CDWs) are reviewed. The synthesis conditions and unique properties of the quasi-one-dimensional compound $\rm{NbS_3}$, with highly coherent room temperature CDWs, are described. A peculiar type of ‘quantization’ is discussed, which is observed in micro- and nanosamples of $\rm{K_{0.3}MoO_3}$ and $\rm{NbSe_3}$ due to the discrete nature of CDW wave vector values. The electric-field-induced torsional strain (TS) in quasi-one-dimensional conductors is considered. Research results on the TS of a noise character induced by sliding CDWs are presented, along with those on the inverse effect, the modulation of the voltage induced by externally driven TS. Results on the nonlinear conduction of $\rm{TiS_3}$, a quasi-one-dimensional compound not belonging to the family of classical Peierls conductors, are also described.