The local structure around the Cu atoms in rare earth (RE) doped (La,S
r)(2)CuO4 has been studied by means of measuring the X-ray absorption
fine structure (XAFS) at the Cu K-edge. On the local scale the tilting
angle of the oxygen octahedra a surrounding a Cu atom depends on the
Sr and RE content. No anomalies indicating charge modulation in this s
ystem have been found. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.