Anisotropy and field-dependence of the spin-density-wave dynamics in the quasi one-dimensional conductor (TMTSF)2PF6

The anisotropic and non-linear transport properties of the quasi one-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)2PF6 have been studied by dc, radiofrequency, and microwave methods. Microwave experiments along all three axes reveal that collective transport, which is considered to be the fingerprint of the spin-density-wave condensate, also occurs in the perpendicular b′ direction. The pinned mode resonance is present in the a and b′-axes response, but not along the least conducting c* direction. The ac-field threshold, above which the spin-density-wave response is non-linear, strongly decreases as the temperature drops below 4 K. With increasing strength of the microwave electric field and of the radiofrequency signal, the pinned mode and the screened phason loss-peak shift to lower frequencies. In the non-linear regime, in addition to the phason relaxation mode with Arrhenius-like resistive decay, an additional mode with very long and temperature-independent relaxation time appears below 4 K. We attribute the new process to short-wavelength excitations associated with discommensurations of the spin density wave close to commensurability.