The distribution of the doped holes in La2-xSrxCu1-yRuyO4-(delta)

We present a systematic study of the perovskite-related system La2-xSrxCu1-yRuyO4 using Cu-L2,3, Ru-L2,3, and O-K x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). This system can be regarded as a solid solution of the two superconductors La2-xSrxCuO4 and Sr2RuO4, and thus the question as to the destination of the holes induced by Sr doping is central to our understanding of these novel systems. The comparison of the experimental data with state-of-the-art crystal-field-multiplet calculations shows clearly that the charge balance for x/2y >1 is predominantly achieved by an increase of the Ru valence from Ru(IV) to Ru(V), while Cu remains in the Cu(II) oxidation state.