Thermal transport as a probe of localized charge and lattice distortions in manganites and cuprates

The thermal resistivity of manganites and cuprates is shown to correlate wi th local lattice distortions and the presence of localized holes as determi ned from neutron diffraction and nuclear quadrupole resonance, Oxygen dopin g-dependent studies of heat conduction in Y-123 and Hg cuprates suggest tha t a fraction of the holes in the CuO2 planes are localized near the planar hole concentration p = 1/8. The results are consistent with the formation o f short-ranged, static stripe domains that are pinned near oxygen vacancy c lusters. PACS numbers: 74.72. - h, 74.25.Fy, 74.25.Bt, 74.25.Dw.