Phonons and hole localization in La(1.475)Nd(0.4)Sr(0.125)CuO(4)

TL;DR

This study investigates how hole localization affects phonon behavior and superconductivity in Nd-doped cuprates, revealing a suppression of specific phonons linked to reduced superconductivity near stripe ordering conditions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the suppression of a key phonon band due to hole localization in Nd-doped cuprates, establishing a link between lattice vibrations and superconductivity.

Findings

Suppression of ~70 meV phonon band in Nd-doped compound

Link between phonon suppression and hole localization

Competition between stripe order and superconductivity

Abstract

The phonon densities-of-states of La(1.475)Nd(0.4)Sr(0.125)CuO(4) and La(1.9)Sr(0.1)CuO(4) were measured using inelastic neutron scattering. The ~70 meV phonon band which appears due to hole doping in La(1.9)Sr(0.1)CuO(4) is known to arise from strong electron-lattice coupling. This phonon band is strongly suppressed in the Nd-doped compound for which T_c is also suppressed, establishing a link between in-plane oxygen optical phonons and superconductivity. This suppression is attributed to hole localization which becomes strong near the stripe ordering condition of certain cuprates near x=1/8 and competes with superconductivity.