Shapiro steps in charge-density-wave states driven by ultrasound

Abstract

We show that ultrasound can induce the Shapiro steps (SS) in the charge-density-wave (CDW) state. When ultrasound with frequency $\omega$ and a dc voltage are applied, the SS occur at the current $I$ $\propto$ $n\omega$ with integer $n$. Even and odd multiples of SS are represented by two couplings between the CDW and ultrasound. Although an ac voltage bias with frequency $\omega$ induces the SS at $I\propto n\omega$, the ultrasound bias enhances the odd multiples more strongly than the even ones. This is the difference between the ultrasound and the ac voltage. Since the SS cause abrupt peaks in the $dV/dI$, the extreme changes in the $I$-$V$ curve will be applied to a very sensitive ultrasound detector.