Stabilization of three-dimensional charge order through interplanar orbital hybridization in Pr<sub>x</sub>Y<sub>1-x</sub>Ba<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>6+δ</sub>.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36261435.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-022-33607-z and PMC identifier 9581994.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The shape of 3d-orbitals often governs the electronic and magnetic properties of correlated transition metal oxides. In the superconducting cuprates, the planar confinement of the [Formula: see text] orbital dictates the two-dimensional nature of the unconventional superconductivity and a competing charge order. Achieving orbital-specific control of the electronic structure to allow coupling pathways across adjacent planes would enable direct assessment of the role of dimensionality in the intertwined orders. Using Cu L<sub>3</sub> and Pr M<sub>5</sub> resonant x-ray scattering and first-principles calculations, we report a highly correlated three-dimensional charge order in Pr-substituted YBa<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>7</sub>, where the Pr f-electrons create a direct orbital bridge between CuO<sub>2</sub> planes. With this we demonstrate that interplanar orbital engineering can be used to surgically control electronic phases in correlated oxides and other layered materials.