Linear dichroism and the nature of charge order in underdoped cuprates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that x-ray absorption and linear dichroism are effective tools for probing charge order in underdoped cuprates, with ab-initio calculations favoring a d-wave charge density wave involving oxygen ions.

Contribution

It introduces the use of x-ray absorption and linear dichroism as probes for charge order and shows that a d-wave charge density wave model fits experimental data better than alternatives.

Findings

Linear dichroism effectively probes charge order in cuprates.

Ab-initio calculations support a d-wave charge density wave involving oxygen.

The d-wave model explains experimental observations more accurately.

Abstract

Recent experiments have addressed the nature of the charge order seen in underdoped cuprates. Here, I show that x-ray absorption and linear dichroism are an excellent probe of such order. Ab-initio calculations reveal that a d-wave charge density wave order involving the oxygen ions is a much better description of the data than alternate models.