Coupled spin, charge and orbital dynamics of low-dimensional cuprates

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Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) has been subject to tremendous developments in the last 2 years and is now a most powerful momentum resolved probe for spin, charge and orbital excitations in transition metal oxides. There is only one other experimental method that provides access to the dispersion of electronic excitations in these materials, namely electron-energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). However, while RIXS enables to probe magnetic and orbital excitations with outstanding sensitivity, EELS is ideally suited for studies of charge transfer excitations and plasmons. The idea of this project is to combine the new capabilities of RIXS with EELS and theory into a novel, comprehensive approach for the study of correlated electron materials. This approach will be applied to low-dimensional cuprates, which constitute well-defined model-systems of large scientific relevance. The first goal is to further establish the methodology. This will then pave the way to the second goal, which is the study of new cuprate materials: candidates for one-dimensional quantum spin-liquids and new multiple-leg ladder systems. With this unique combination of methods, we aim to gain new key insights into the collective spin, charge and orbital dynamics of cuprates and the coupling between the corresponding elementary excitations. Two worldwide leading facilities will be used: the RIXS facility of the PSI Villigen and the transmission EELS of the IFW Dresden. The close collaboration of PSI Villigen and IFW Dresden will bring together the expertise of both institutes and will create significant synergies.