Retrograde doping dependence of charge order in La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$

TL;DR

This study investigates the unusual doping dependence of charge order in La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$, suggesting a mechanism beyond typical charge-ordering processes, possibly involving bond-stretching phonons.

Contribution

It reveals that the charge order in Eu-doped cuprates is driven by a mechanism different from that in other hole-doped lanthanum cuprates, highlighting the role of bond-stretching phonons.

Findings

Charge order exhibits a retrograde doping dependence.

Bond-stretching phonons are implicated in charge order formation.

Distinct mechanism from common charge-order generation in similar cuprates.

Abstract

Comparison with La$_{2-z-x}$Nd$_z$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ ($z=0, 0.4$) shows that the retrograde doping dependence of charge order in La$_{1.8-x}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ must be caused by a mechanism transcending the common charge-order generation in the hole-doped lanthanum cuprates. This could be a bond-stretching phonon with comparable momentum, $q \sim 0.24$ r.l.u., as observed in La$_{1.675}$Eu$_{0.2}$Sr$_{0.125}$CuO$_4$.