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Observation of subharmonic charge-density-wave correlations in La-based cuprates

J.-S. Lee1,*, S. A. Kivelson2, H. Lee1, T. Wang3, Y. Ikeda3, T. Taniguchi3, C.-T. Kuo1, M. Fujita3, and C.-C. Kao1,4

  • *Contact author: jslee@slac.stanford.edu
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Phys. Rev. B 114, 074514 – Published 31 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/djbs-mcz5

Abstract

Pair-density-wave (PDW) correlations have been proposed as an important ingredient in the complex phase diagram of high-Tc cuprates, yet bulk-sensitive experimental signatures remain scarce. Here, we report resonant x-ray scattering measurements revealing a subharmonic charge-density-wave (CDW) scattering response in Sr-doped 1/8−La1.875Ba0.125CuO4 (LBCO). The subharmonic response appears at approximately half the primary CDW ordering wave vector and emerges within a physically relevant temperature regime associated with the development of in-plane superconducting correlations. Comparable subharmonic behavior is also observed in a chemically distinct La-based cuprate, La1.87Sr0.13Cu0.99Fe0.01O4 (LSCO), within the same stripe-ordered, layer-decoupled regime. Together, these observations identify a bulk-sensitive scattering signature that is consistent with PDW correlations in La-based superconducting cuprates.

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Phys. Rev. B 114, 074514– Published 31 August, 2026
  • Received 12 January 2026
  • Revised 28 July 2026
  • Accepted 14 August 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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