Infrared signatures of hole and spin stripes in La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4}

TL;DR

This study uses infrared spectroscopy to explore hole and spin stripe signatures in La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4}, revealing anisotropic electron-phonon interactions and supporting stripe-related phenomena without clear charge ordering in phonon spectra.

Contribution

It provides new insights into anisotropic electron-phonon coupling and stripe signatures in high-temperature superconductors using infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

Support for stripe-related electronic anisotropy

Absence of static charge ordering in phonon spectra

Evidence of strong electron-phonon interaction

Abstract

We investigate the hole and lattice dynamics in a prototypical high temperature superconducting system La{2-x}Sr{x}CuO{4} using infrared spectroscopy. By exploring the anisotropy in the electronic response of CuO2 planes we show that our results support the notion of stripes. Nevertheless, charge ordering effects are not apparent in the phonon spectra. All crystals show only the expected infrared active modes for orthorhombic phases without evidence for additional peaks that may be indicative of static charge ordering. Strong electron-phonon interaction manifests itself through the Fano lineshape of several phonon modes. This analysis reveals anisotropic electron-phonon coupling across the phase diagram, including superconducting crystals. Due to the ubiquity of the CuO2 plane, these results may have implications for other high Tc superconductors.