Lattice effects on charge localization in cuprates

Recent experimental results on cuprates and manganites, including those of elastic and inelastic neutron scattering measurements, suggest that charges are not homogeneously distributed even in the metallic state in these comp ounds. Charge inhomogeneity results from spin/lattice charge constriction. In cuprates the LO phonons strongly reflect the temperature- and compositio n-dependent charge inhomogeneity and may possibly be involved in causing it . Unlike the static stripes that compete against superconductivity, the cha rge inhomogeneity seen by the LO phonons is markedly increased in the super conducting phase. A new mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity inv olving lattice/spin charge constriction is proposed.