Comment on arXiv:1012.1484v1 Structural origin of apparent Fermi surface pockets in angle-resolved photoemission of Bi_2Sr_{2-x}La_xCuO_{6+\delta} by King et al

TL;DR

This paper refutes the claim that structural superstructures cause Fermi pockets in ARPES measurements of La-Bi2201, providing evidence that the pockets are of electronic origin rather than structural artifacts.

Contribution

It offers a critical analysis of previous structural interpretations, strengthening the argument that the observed Fermi pockets are intrinsic electronic features.

Findings

King et al.'s structural interpretation is inconsistent with ARPES data.

Absence of superstructure bands supports an electronic origin of Fermi pockets.

Reinforces the original conclusion that Fermi pockets are not due to structural effects.

Abstract

In our Nature paper, we reported observation of Fermi pocket in Bi_2(Sr_{2-x}La_x)CuO_{6+\delta} (La-Bi2201) by angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements. King et al. tried to assign the Fermi pocket we observed as due to an additional q2 superstructure. In the process, it creates a number of serious inconsistencies and flaws in their interpretation. Any one of these inconsistencies goes strongly against King et al.'s proposal, making their proposed structural origin highly unlikely as the cause of the observed Fermi pocket. In our Nature paper, we already pointed out that this structural origin is unlikely based on the absence of additional q2-induced first-order superstructure bands of the main band MB. This conclusion remains valid and gains even stronger support by considering King et al's data.