Quantization of the q-vector in microcrystals of K0.3MoO3 and NbSe3

We report steps of conductivity between discrete conducting states in microsamples of quasi-one-dimensional conductors K0.3MoO3 and NbSe3. The steps reveal single phase-slip events, and the discrete states reveal quantization of the wave vector q of the charge-density wave. The quantization is observed due to the coherence of the CDW within the sample volume and tight boundary conditions at the contacts. The distribution of steps in temperature gives the temperature dependences of the q-vectors, while the steps' height provides the carriers' mobilities. For the case of NbSe3 we give the 1st direct confirmation of the extremely high mobility of the pocket holes at low temperatures. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.