The history of low dimensional conductors goes back to the prediction, more than forty years ago, by Peierls, of the instability of a one dimensional metallic chain, leading to what is known now as the charge density wave state. At the same time, Frohlich suggested that an "ideal" conductivity could be associated to the sliding of this charge density wave. Since then, several classes of compounds, including layered transition metal dichalcogenides, quasi one-dimensional organic conduc tors and transition metal tri- and tretrachalcogenides have been extensively studied. The molybdenum bronzes or oxides have been discovered or rediscovered as low dimensional conductors in this last decade. A considerable amount of work has now been performed on this subject and it was time to collect some review papers in a single book. Although this book is focused on the molybdenum bronzes and oxides, it has a far more general interest in the field of low dimensional conductors, since several of the molybdenum compounds provide, from our point of view, model systems. This is the case for the quasi one-dimensional blue bronze, especially due to the availability of good quality large single crystals. This book is intended for scientists belonging to the fields of solid state physics and chemistry as well as materials science. It should especially be useful to many graduate students involved in low dimensional oxides. It has been written by recognized specialists of low dimensional systems.

Inhalt
Transition Metal Oxide Bronzes with Quasi Low-Dimensional Properties.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Band Structure and Electronic Properties of Oxide Bronzes.- 3. Molybdenum Bronzes.- 4. Vanadium Bronzes with Quasi Low-Dimensional Properties ?-AxV2O5.- 5. Tungsten Bronzes with Quasi Low-Dimensional Properties.- Acknowledgements.- References.- On Structural Aspects of Molybdenum Bronzes and Molybdenum Oxides in Relation to Their Low-Dimensional Transport Properties.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Molybdenum Bronzes.- 3. Molybdenum Oxides.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Structural Instabilities in the Low Dimensional Molybdenum Bronzes and Oxides.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Charge Density Wave Instability.- 3. The Blue Bronzes A0.3MoO3 (A = K, Rb, Tl).- 4. Other Oxides.- 5. Conclusion.- Appendix A.- Appendix B.- Notes.- References.- Charge Density Wave Instabilities and Transport Properties of the Low Dimensional Molybdenum Bronzes and Oxides.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Theoretical Background.- 3. Quasi One-Dimensional Compounds: The Blue Bronzes A0.30MoO3.- 4. Quasi Two-Dimensional Compounds: The Molybdenum Purple Bronzes and the Molybdenum Oxides.- 5. Conclusion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Frequency-Dependent Conductivity in K0.30MoO3.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Dielectric Relaxation Regime.- 3. Phase Mode Regime.- 4. Far Infrared Regime.- 5. Normal-Electron Screening.- 6. Summary.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Breaking of Analyticity in Charge Density Wave Systems: Physical Interpretation and Consequences.- 1. Introduction: The Peierls Instability in 1D Conductors.- 2. The Transition by Breaking of Analyticity (TBA) in the Discrete FrenkelKontorova (FK) Model.- 3. Another Transition by Breaking of Analyticity: The Localization Transition of Electrons in an IncommensuratePotential.- 4. The Transition by Breaking of Analyticity in One-Dimensional Peierls Chains.- 5. Future Prospects: Quantum Lattice Effects and Thermal Effects.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Imperfections of Charge Density Waves in Blue Bronzes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Properties of Static Imperfections of CDWs.- 3. Interaction of CDW with Lattice Defects.- 4. Elastic and Anelastic Responses of CDW.- 5. Plastic Properties of CDW.- 6. Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.