A synthesis of the phenomenology of the underdoped cuprates

TL;DR

This paper presents a unified theoretical framework for understanding the complex phenomena observed in underdoped cuprates, linking pseudogap behavior, Fermi arcs, quantum oscillations, and vortex states.

Contribution

It offers a novel synthesis that coherently explains diverse experimental observations in underdoped cuprates within a single theoretical model.

Findings

Pseudogap and Fermi arcs exist above $T_c$ and evolve into quantum oscillations at low temperatures.

Enhanced Nernst and diamagnetic signals are consistent with the proposed model.

Vortex core properties are related to high-field phenomena in cuprates.

Abstract

The underdoped cuprates have a number of interesting and unusual properties that often seem hard to reconcile with one another. In this paper we show how many of these diverse phenomena can be synthesized into a single coherent theoretical picture. Specifically we present a description where a pseudogap and gapless Fermi arcs exist in the normal state above the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$), but give way to the observed quantum oscillations and other phenomena at low temperature when the superconductivity is suppressed by a magnetic field. We show the consistency between these phenomena and observations of enhanced Nernst and diamagnetic signals above $T_c$. We also develop a description of the vortex core inside the superconducting state and discuss its relation with the high field phenomena.