Switching and Phase-Slip Centers in Charge-Density-Wave Conductors

We demonstrate that switching in the charge-density-wave (CDW) conductors ${\mathrm{Fe}}_x\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{Se}}_3$ and Nb${\mathrm{Se}}_3$ is associated with a division of the CDW condensate into distinct macroscopic regions with independent CDW depinning fields and independent CDW drift velocities. These well-defined regions are separated by localized phase-slip centers. We explicitly determine the location within the crystalline bulk, and the spatial extent, of the phase-slip interface. Switching results from initial phase breaking at either side of the phase-slip center.