Is stripe incommensurability in La_{2-x}Sr_xCoO_4 proportional to doping?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the relationship between stripe incommensurability and doping levels in lanthanum transition-metal oxides, highlighting experimental evidence and proposing future neutron-scattering studies to clarify the dependence.

Contribution

It reviews the existing understanding of stripe incommensurability in La_{2-x}Sr_xCoO_4 and suggests specific experiments to determine the true functional form.

Findings

Experimental data partly supports elta(x) pprox x

Exceptions to the linear relationship are noted

Future neutron-scattering experiments could clarify the dependence

Abstract

The longstanding notion of stripe incommensurability being proportional to doping, \delta(x) ~ x, in lanthanum transition-metal oxides, La_{2-x}Sr_xTmO_4 (Tm = Cu, Ni, Co), is partly borne out by experiment but also plagued with exceptions. Future neutron-scattering experiments on cobaltates could provide a clear distinction whether a linear or square-root dependence, \delta(x) ~ sqrt(x - x_0), is valid.