Resonant x-ray scattering studies of nematicity and charge order in the La-based superconducting cuprates

Charge-density waves (CDWs) are ubiquitous in the cuprates, however it is often difficult to distinguish between their different patterns and rotational symmetries. Additional phases, such as superconductivity and nematicity, further enrich the interplay between the low temperature phases in the cuprates and rotational symmetry. In particular, the La-based materials show an orthorhombic (LTO) to tetragonal (LTT) phase transition, with the LTT stabilizing stripes within the CuO₂ planes. Recent resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments also indicate the presence of high-temperature CDW correlations in these materials. In this study we use resonant x-ray scattering (RXS) to probe the energy and temperature dependent CDW correlations. We interpret our results in terms of the effects of uniaxial strain to the CDW correlations to uncover the nature of their interplay with nematic order.