Optical Properties of Dopant Induced States in La2−xSrxCuO4-δ Compounds

Abstract

ABSTRACTOptical data over a broad energy range (∼ 0.01 eV to ∼ 6 eV) for a series of La2−xSrxCuO4-δ compounds are obtained in parallel with the Meissner effect and the superconductivity transition temperature, Tc. Two noteworthy trends in the optical spectra are observed as the Sr concentration is increased in small steps from x = 0 to x = 0.3. First is the appearance of a low frequency band in the reflectivity, R, whose strength follows closely the Meissner effect and Tc measured on the same set of samples. The position of the onset of this band is pinned at ∼0.9 eV for all values of x. The origin of this band in R is identified as an absorption process due to an electronic transition with a large oscillator strength. Second is the appearance and disappearance of an intense vibrational mode whose strength also tracks “superconductivity”. This sharp structure in the far infrared is a characteristic vibrational mode associated with the dopant induced electronic state.