Open AccessLocal structure fluctuations as a signature of an inhomogeneous ground state in high‐ T c superconductors
Author(s) -
Mustre de Leon J.,
AcostaAlejandro M.,
Conradson S. D.,
Bishop A. R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049505000063
Subject(s) - superconductivity , x ray absorption fine structure , pseudogap , cuprate , condensed matter physics , ground state , physics , gaussian , plane (geometry) , copper oxide , copper , chemistry , materials science , atomic physics , quantum mechanics , spectroscopy , geometry , mathematics , organic chemistry
In‐plane polarized Cu K ‐edge XAFS on La 2 CuO 4.1 is presented, which indicates a radial in‐plane Cu–O distribution function that is not a single Gaussian. Fits to the isolated Cu–O XAFS signal show the presence of a two‐site radial distribution function, similar to that found in other La‐based cuprate superconductors at temperatures below the temperature associated with the pseudogap appearance, . The appearance of the two‐site distribution is interpreted as evidence of a non‐homogeneous ground state, preceding the superconducting transition. Similar results found in other copper‐oxide superconductors indicate that this non‐homogeneous ground state is a general feature of these materials.