Field-induced disorder in the charge-density-wave state ofK0.30MoO3

The application of an electric field along the b axis of ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.30}$ ${\mathrm{MoO}}_3$ in the charge-density-wave (CDW) state causes a metastable loss of transverse order as measured by x-ray diffraction. In contrast, scans parallel to the CDW modulation wave vector are resolution limited with no field-induced change of position or width. These results provide structural evidence for metastable CDW states previously seen in transport measurements.