Directional field-induced metallization of quasi-one-dimensional Li _0.9Mo₆O₁₇

We report a detailed magnetotransport study of the highly anisotropic quasi-one-dimensional oxide Li_0.9Mo₆O₁₇ whose in-chain electrical resistivity diverges below a temperature T _min∼25K. For T<T_min, a magnetic field applied parallel to the conducting chain induces a large negative magnetoresistance and, ultimately, the recovery of a metallic state. We show evidence that this insulator-metal crossover is a consequence of field-induced suppression of a density-wave gap in a highly one-dimensional conductor. At the highest fields studied, there is evidence for the possible emergence of a novel superconducting state with an onset temperature Tc>10K.