Peierls instability in disordered quasi-one-dimensional conductors

Abstract

We discuss the nature of the lattice instability in a highly disordered quasi-one-dimensional conductor, where the electronic states near the fermi energy are localized in space. The resulting lattice and charge-density distortions are random in space and are frozen. The mathematical and physical similarities of this instability to cooperative Jahn-Teller effect and spin-glass ordering are also discussed. The experimental observability of the new glassy phase is also discussed.