Transformation of strings into an inhomogeneous phase of stripes and itinerant carriers

We discuss the transformation of a network of strings consisting of charges self-trapped by linear cooperative local lattice distortions into an inhomogeneous phase of stripes and itinerant carriers in cuprate superconductors. This scenario is observed by X-ray diffraction in oxygen doped La2CuO4 where the doped charges at the critical doping 1/8 are self trapped into a crystal of ordered strings of finite length. Above this critical density in the superconducting phase the stripes co-exist with itinerant carriers. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.