Time evolution of nonequilibrium soliton structures created by uniaxial mechanical stresses in Rb₂ZnCl₄

Abstract

The initial stages of time evolution of the soliton structure driven sharply to various nonequilibrium states by uniaxial mechanical stresses have been studied in the incommensurate phase of Rb₂ZnCl₄. The first stage is shown to be a fast process proceeding with an acceleration, the farther from equilibrium is the crystal the more is the acceleration. Closer to equilibrium, due to retarding on defects the fast process goes over to the slow thermal-activation one being characteristic of inhomogeneous systems. The evolutions from the states with elevated and depressed soliton densities with respect to equilibrium one are found to be qualitatively different. Peculiarities of the fast stages are revealed. The study is carried out by means of dielectric methods.

Key Words:

• Incommensurate phase
• transient phenomena
• uniaxial pressure
• dielectric properties