One-Dimensional Conductors

This monograph presents a broad survey of the physics of quasi one-dimensional conductors. An introductory chapter provides a bridge between usual textbooks on solid-state physics and later chapters dealing with experimental results in real materials. Problems relating to the Peierls instability, organic superconductivity, dynamics of charge-density waves, and conducting polymers are described in detail. Very recent topics such as high-transition-temperature organic superconductivity are included. A particular feature of this book is the introductory chapter for students. It gives them the necessary theoretical basis to understand the experimental results. Moreover, in the chapters that present experimental results, the principles of each kind of measurement are described as fully as possible. This will be useful not only for students but also for specialists who are not familiar with other experimental methods.

This volume deals with physical properties of electrically one-dimensional conductors. It includes both a description of basic concepts and a review of recent progress in research. One-dimensional conductors are those materials in which an electric current flows easily in one specific crystal direction while the resistivity is very high in transverse directions. It was about 1973 when much attention began to be focussed on them and investigations started in earnest. The research was stimulated by the successful growth of crystals of the organic conductor TTF-TCNQ and of the inorganic conductor KCP. New concepts, characteristic of one dimension, were established in the in- vestigations of their properties. Many new one-dimensional conductors were also found and synthesized. This field of research is attractive because of the discovery of new ma- terials, phenomena and concepts which have only recently found a place in the framework of traditional solid-state physics and materials science. The relation of this topic to the wider field of solid-state sciences is therefore still uncertain. This situation is clearly reflected in the wide distribution of the fields of specialization of researchers. Due to this, and also to the rapid progress of research, no introductory book has been available which covers most of the important fields of research on one-dimensional conductors.

Contents: What are One-Dimensional Conductors?.- Fundamental Properties of Electronic Systems in One Dimension.- Properties of TTF-TCNQ and its Family.- Properties of MX3.- Properties of KCP.- Properties of Linear Chain Polymers (CH)x and (SN)x.- Properties of Linear Chain Mercury Compounds.- Appendix.- References.- Subject Index.