Doped orbitally ordered systems: Another case of phase separation

A possible mechanism of electronic phase separation in the systems with orbital ordering is analyzed. We suggest a simple model taking into account an interplay between the delocalization of charge carriers introduced by doping and the cooperative ordering of orbitals favoring the electron localization at lattice distortions. The proposed mechanism is quite similar to the double exchange usually invoked for interpretation of phase separation in doped magnetic oxides like manganites, but can be efficient even in the absence of any magnetic ordering. It is demonstrated that the delocalized charge carriers favor the formation of nanoscale inhomogeneities with the orbital structure different from that in the undoped material. The directional character of orbitals leads to inhomogeneities of different shapes and sizes.