Self-doping processes between planes and chains in the metal-to-superconductor transition of YBa2Cu3O6.9

Abstract

The interplay between the quasi 1-dimensional CuO-chains and the 2-dimensional CuO2 planes of YBa2Cu3O6+x (YBCO) has been in focus for a long time. Although the CuO-chains are known to be important as charge reservoirs that enable superconductivity for a range of oxygen doping levels in YBCO, the understanding of the dynamics of its temperature-driven metal-superconductor transition (MST) remains a challenge. We present a combined study using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) revealing how a reconstruction of the apical O(4)-derived interplanar orbitals during the MST of optimally doped YBCO leads to substantial hole-transfer from the chains into the planes, i.e. self-doping. Our ionic model calculations show that localized divalent charge-transfer configurations are expected to be abundant in the chains of YBCO. While these indeed appear in the RIXS spectra from YBCO in the normal, metallic, state, they are largely suppressed in the superconducting state and, instead, signatures of Cu trivalent charge-transfer configurations in the planes become enhanced. In the quest for understanding the fundamental mechanism for high-Tc-superconductivity (HTSC) in perovskite cuprate materials, the observation of such an interplanar self-doping process in YBCO opens a unique novel channel for studying the dynamics of HTSC.

9 pages, 4 Figures

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Cited by in corpus (11)

• Chemical bonding and electronic-structure in MAX phases as viewed by X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory
• Nonlinear light-matter interaction at terahertz frequencies
• Electron-lattice interactions strongly renormalize the charge transfer energy in the spin-chain cuprate Li${}_2$CuO${}_2$
• Coherent Modulation of the YBa2Cu3O6+x Atomic Structure by Displacive Stimulated Ionic Raman Scattering
• Buried double CuO chains in YBa${}_2$Cu${}_4$O${}_8$ uncovered by nano-ARPES
• Restoring Interlayer Josephson Coupling in La_{1.885}Ba_{0.115}CuO_4 by Charge Transfer Melting of Stripe Order
• Charge-screening role of $c$-axis atomic displacements in YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{6+x}$ and related superconductors
• Prediction of $f$-wave pairing symmetry in YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{6+x}$ cuprates
• Depth-resolved resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at a superconductor/half-metallic ferromagnet interface through standing-wave excitation
• Novel Cu-based dz2 order at a YBa2Cu3O7/ manganite interface
• Polarization-dependent resonant inelastic X-ray scattering study at the Cu L and O K-edge of YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{7-x}$