Suppression of Intertwined Density Waves in La$_4$Ni$_{3-x}$Cu$_x$O$_{10+\delta}$

TL;DR

This study systematically investigates how substituting Cu in La$_4$Ni$_{3-x}$Cu$_x$O$_{10+\delta}$ suppresses intertwined density wave orders, revealing their partial decoupling and the persistent short-range spin correlations, but no emergence of superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the evolution of spin and charge density waves with Cu doping, highlighting their partial decoupling and the conditions for superconductivity.

Findings

Density wave transition temperature decreases linearly with Cu content.

Resistivity anomalies disappear at higher Cu doping levels.

Short-range spin correlations persist despite suppression of density waves.

Abstract

Superconductivity in La$_{4}$Ni$_{3}$O$_{10}$ has been reported to emerge upon suppression of intertwined spin and charge density wave (SDW/CDW) order, suggesting a possible connection to the pairing mechanism. Here we report a systematic investigation of La$_{4}$Ni$_{3-x}$Cu$_{x}$O$_{10+\delta}$ ($0 \leq x \leq 0.7$), focusing on the evolution of the SDW/CDW order as a function of chemical substitution. Temperature-dependent resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and Hall effect measurements reveal a linear suppression of density wave transition temperature $T{\text{dw}}$ and a concurrent enhancement of hole concentration with increasing Cu content. At higher substitution levels ($x > 0.15$), the transition-induced anomaly in the resistivity becomes undetectable while a magnetic signature persists, indicating a partial decoupling of spin and charge components and the possible survival of short-range spin correlations. The absence of superconductivity across the substitution series highlights the importance of additional factors in stabilizing the superconducting state in pressurized La$_{4}$Ni$_{3}$O$_{10}$.