Static charge and spin inhomogeneity in La2-xSrx CuO4 by NMR

Abstract

NMR experiments on La2 − xSrxCuO4 are shown that characterize the nature of static spatial inhomogeneities in this material. Large amplitude charge density variations are found that are correlated with spin density variations. While the amplitude of the charge variation is temperature-independent, the spin variation increases Curie-like as the temperature varies and shifts toward local antiferromagnetism up to optimal doping. For x = 0.2 the correlation is independent on temperature and agrees with local incommensurability found in neutron scattering. Relations to possible scenarios are discussed.