Prediction of the effects of rf irradiation on the I-V curves of a CDW compound

The Shapiro steps (ShSs) developing in sliding charge-density wave (CDW) under rf irradiation are considered in terms of the CDW travel in the periodic (washboard) potential. We demonstrate that treating the CDW as an inertialess object whose velocity is defined by the instantaneous voltage one can predict the positions of the ShSs in dc voltages for the given amplitude of rf voltage. Moreover, the approximation allows indicating the rf voltages at which the ShSs' magnitudes show maxima and minima. The only information necessary in advance is the I-V characteristic without rf irradiation and the cross-sectional area of the sample. Thus, one can recover the course of an I-V curve in average and the positions of ShSs on it, though not their forms.

Automated summary

The text discusses the development of Shapiro steps in sliding charge-density waves under rf irradiation, and demonstrates how the positions and magnitudes of ShSs can be predicted using the velocity and voltage of CDW. The only necessary information in advance is the I-V characteristics and the cross-sectional area of the sample.