Hole Localization in Underdoped Superconducting Cuprates Near 1/8th Doping

TL;DR

This study investigates hole localization in underdoped cuprate superconductors near 1/8 doping, revealing intrinsic localization mechanisms in CuO₂ planes enhanced by oxygen-vacancy pinning.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of hole localization near 1/8 doping in cuprates and suggests an intrinsic mechanism related to the CuO₂ planes and oxygen vacancies.

Findings

Localized hole domains develop near 1/8 doping.

Localization is intrinsic to CuO₂ planes.

Oxygen-vacancy clusters enhance localization.

Abstract

Measurements of thermal conductivity versus temperature over a broad range of doping in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ and HgBa$_2$Ca$_{n-1}$Cu$_n$O$_{2n+2+\delta}$ ($n$=1,2,3) suggest that small domains of localized holes develop for hole concentrations near $p$=1/8. The data imply a mechanism for localization that is intrinsic to the CuO$_2$-planes and is enhanced via pinning associated with oxygen-vacancy clusters.