t-J model of coupled Cu$_2$O$_5$ ladders in Sr$_{14-x}$Ca$_x$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$

TL;DR

This paper derives a comprehensive low-energy Hamiltonian for coupled Cu$_2$O$_5$ ladders in Sr$_{14-x}$Ca$_x$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$, highlighting the importance of Coulomb interactions and explaining charge density wave formation.

Contribution

It introduces an extended t-J model including Coulomb repulsion to better describe the system's low-energy physics and charge ordering phenomena.

Findings

Extended t-J model with Coulomb repulsion is necessary.

Mean-field solution explains charge density wave onset.

Coulomb interactions influence ladder coupling and charge order.

Abstract

Starting from the proper charge transfer model for Cu$_2$O$_5$ coupled ladders in Sr$_{14-x}$Ca$_x$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$ we derive the low energy Hamiltonian for this system. It occurs that the widely used ladder t-J model is not sufficient and has to be supplemented by the Coulomb repulsion term between holes in the neighboring ladders. Furthermore, we show how a simple mean-field solution of the derived t-J model may explain the onset of the charge density wave with the odd period in Sr$_{14-x}$Ca$_x$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$.