La(8-x)Sr(x)Cu(8)O(20) is a non-superconducting cuprate, which exhibits a
doubling of the elementary cell along the c axis. Its optical conductivity
sigma (omega) has been first measured here, down to 20 K, in two single
crystals with x = 1.56 and x = 2.24. Along c, sigma (omega) shows, in both
samples, bands due to strongly bound charges, thus confirming that the cell
doubling is due to charge ordering. In the ab plane, in addition to the Drude
term one observes an infrared peak at 0.1 eV and a midinfrared band at 0.7 eV.
The 0.1 eV peak hardens considerably below 200 K, in correspondence of an
anomalous increase in the sample dc resistivity, in agreement with its
polaronic origin. This study allows one to establish relevant similarities and
differences with respect to the spectrum of the ab plane of the superconducting
cuprates.Comment: Revised version submitted to Phys. Rev. B, including the elimination
of Fig. 1 and changes to Figs. 4 and
