Inhomogeneous charge state in HTSC cuprates and CMR manganites

Recent measurements of neutron elastic and inelastic scattering suggest tha t the charge states are spatially inhomogeneous at two length scales, atomi c and nanometer scales, in both the high-temperature superconducting (HTSC) cuprates and colossal magneto resistive (CMR) manganites. We suggest that the two-phonon mechanism that controls the charge localization in CMR manga nites is also at work in HTSC cuprates, and may hold a key to understanding the mechanism of superconductivity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.