Electronic crystals: an experimental overview

This article reviews the static and dynamic properties of spontaneous superstructures formed by electrons. Representations of such electronic crystals are charge density waves (CDW) and spin density waves in inorganic as well as organic low-dimensional materials. A special attention is paid to the collective effects in pinning and sliding of these superstructures, and the glassy properties at low temperature. Charge order and charge disproportionation which occur in organic materials resulting from correlation effects are analysed. Experiments under magnetic field, and more specifically field-induced CDWs are discussed. Properties of meso- and nanostructures of CDWs are also reviewed.