Hole distribution in La2−xSrxCu1−yZn(Ni)yO4 (x ⩽ 1/8)

Simulation with interacting-potentials has been performed to investigate hole distribution in La2−xSrxCu1−yZn(Ni)yO4 (y = 1/32 and x ⩽ 1/8). It is found that the orderly distributed hole configurations are more energetically favorable than the randomly distributed hole configurations. Moreover, the doped Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions can both act as stabilizing centers to localize the holes in their vicinity leading to an atomic-scale inhomogeneous distribution of holes. This atomic-scale inhomogeneities of holes obtained from our simulation is similar to that predicted by the “Swiss Cheese” model.