Uniaxial Pressure Induced Stripe Order Rotation in La$_{1.88}$Sr$_{0.12}$CuO$_4$

TL;DR

Applying uniaxial pressure to La$_{1.88}$Sr$_{0.12}$CuO$_4$ reorients stripe order from a rotated state to align with the crystal axis, revealing insights into stripe dynamics and their relation to superconductivity.

Contribution

This study demonstrates how uniaxial pressure can manipulate stripe order orientation, highlighting the weak transverse stripe stiffness and its implications for superconductivity.

Findings

Uniaxial pressure reorients stripe order in La$_{1.88}$Sr$_{0.12}$CuO$_4$.

Stripe order aligns with the crystal axis under modest pressure.

Stripe stiffness is weak, facilitating coexistence with superconductivity.

Abstract

Static stripe order is detrimental to superconductivity. Yet, it has been proposed that transverse stripe fluctuations may enhance the inter-stripe Josephson coupling and thus promote superconductivity. Direct experimental studies of stripe dynamics, however, remain difficult. From a strong-coupling perspective, transverse stripe fluctuations are realized in the form of dynamic "kinks" -- sideways shifting stripe sections. Here, we show how modest uniaxial pressure tuning reorganizes directional kink alignment. Our starting point is La$_{1.88}$Sr$_{0.12}$CuO$_4$, where transverse kink ordering results in a rotation of stripe order away from the crystal axis. Application of mild uniaxial pressure changes the ordering pattern and pins the stripe order to the crystal axis. This reordering occurs at a much weaker pressure than that to detwin the stripe domains and suggests a rather weak transverse stripe stiffness. Weak spatial stiffness and transverse quantum fluctuations are likely key prerequisites for stripes to coexist with superconductivity.