The local structure of ${\mathrm{NaTiSi}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_6$ is examined across its Ti-dimerization orbital-assisted Peierls transition at 210 K. An atomic pair distribution function approach evidences local symmetry breaking preexisting far above the transition. The analysis unravels that, on warming, the dimers evolve into a short range orbital degeneracy lifted (ODL) state of dual orbital character, persisting up to at least 490 K. The ODL state is correlated over the length scale spanning $\sim 6$ sites of the Ti zigzag chains. Results imply that the ODL phenomenology extends to strongly correlated electron systems.

中文翻译：

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强相关电子系统中的双轨道简并性提升

的局部结构 ${\mathrm{钛硅}}_{\mathrm{2个}}{\mathrm{Ø}}_6$在210 K的Ti-二聚体轨道辅助Peierls跃迁上进行了检查。原子对分布函数方法证明了局部对称性打破了远高于该跃迁的预先存在的现象。分析表明，在变暖时，二聚体会演变成具有双轨道特征的短程轨道简并抬升（ODL）状态，并持续至少490K。$〜6$锯齿形链的位置。结果表明，ODL现象学扩展到高度相关的电子系统。