Charge-Density-Wave State in Extremely Overdoped Cuprates Driven by Phonons

TL;DR

This study uses quantum Monte Carlo simulations to show that phonons and electron correlations drive a unique charge-density wave in overdoped cuprates, revealing the importance of nonlocal interactions and phonons in these materials.

Contribution

It demonstrates that phonons and extended interactions are crucial for understanding charge order in overdoped cuprates, a novel insight beyond traditional models.

Findings

Charge order persists from cryogenic to room temperature.

The $(rac{ ext{pi}}{3},0)$ wavevector is robust across doping levels.

Electron-phonon couplings shape the charge order pattern.

Abstract

Recent resonant x-ray scattering (RXS) experiments revealed a novel charge order in extremely overdoped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ (LSCO) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 131,116002]. The observed charge order appears around the $(\pi/3,0)$ wavevector, distinct from the well-known stripe fluctuations near 1/8 doping, and persists from cryogenic temperatures to room temperature. To investigate the origin of this charge order in the overdoped regime, we use determinant quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC) simulations to examine correlated models with various interactions. We demonstrate that this distinctive CDW originates from remnant correlations in extremely overdoped cuprates, with its specific pattern shaped by interactions beyond the Hubbard model, particularly electron-phonon couplings. The persistence of the $(\pi/3,0)$ wavevector across different doping levels indicates the presence of nonlocal couplings. Our study reveals the significant role of phonons in cuprates, which assist correlated electrons in the formation of unconventional phases.