Switching phenomena and nonlinear conduction in (YbS)1.25CrS2

This paper presents electric field-induced variations in transport properties of the mixed-valence misfit-layer compound (Y bS)1.25CrS2. Nonlinear conduction with negative differential resistivity and a switching phenomenon is found at high electric fields. I–VI–V characteristics are accompanied with large voltage fluctuation. Switching or voltage fluctuation arises from a transition between low and high conductivity states. It has been suggested that these transport phenomena are derived from the collective nature of charge dynamics similar to strongly correlated carriers in Mott insulators, charge-ordered insulators and organic charge-transfer complexes. Our experimental results are well represented by proposed nonlinear conductivity.