CDW DEPINNING IN THE BLUE BRONZE - A STUDY BY CURRENT PULSE MEASUREMENTS, PROTON CHANNELING, ELECTRON-PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE

CDW depinning in the blue bronze has been investigated using three techniques: voltage response to current pulses, proton channeling and electron paramagnetic resonance. The voltage response involves four distinct regimes as the amplitude of the pulse increases. The backscattering yield of protons increases when the applied dc voltage exceeds the threshold value for depinning. An asymmetry of the EPR spectra at low temperatures is found as the threshold is approached from below. These results indicate that CDW structural defects play a predominant role in the depinning process.