An exactly solvable model of pinned charge density waves

Recent advances in the resolution of experimental measurements on charge density waves (CDW) [1,2] give cause to re-examine the theoretical understanding of such systems, particularly the effects of impurities [3]. Here, we present an exactly solvable model of a CDW coupled to quenched disorder, which we use to demonstrate a novel crossover between weakly and strongly disordered regimes. In contrast to previous studies utilizing the large-N limit [4], our approach preserves the Abelian symmetry which allows for a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in the clean system. By treating the quenched disorder and thermal fluctuations independently and on equal footing, we draw conclusions about their interplay across the phase diagram of the theory.

[1] M. Mitrano, et al., Phys. Rev. B 100, 205125 (2019).

[2] S. Lee, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 027602 (2021).

[3] D. F. Mross and T. Senthil, Phys. Rev. X 5, 031008 (2015).

[4] L. Nie, G. Tarjus, and S. A. Kivelson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 111, 7980 (2014).