Charge density wave mesoscopy

We report on new realizations of transport properties in the charge density wave (CDW) sliding state of NbSe3 in multiply connected structures. First, we show that the presence of columnar defects induce oscillations in the non-linear CDW conductivity as a function of magnetic field with flux period hc/2e. We consider this result as the collective response of the moving CDW to Aharonov-Bohm flux inside the columnar defects. Second, we demonstrate size effects on CDW transport in a periodic network of mesoscopic units between submicron holes (antidots). Finally, an increase of both Peierls transition temperatures occurs when the NbSe3 whiskers are thinned in the range around 40 nm. These results open a new line for CDW studies at the mesoscopic scale.