Interplane charge dynamics in a valence-bond dynamical mean-field theory of cuprate superconductors

TL;DR

This paper models interplane charge dynamics in cuprate superconductors using valence-bond dynamical mean-field theory, revealing doping-dependent transitions from metallic to insulating behavior linked to pseudogap formation.

Contribution

It introduces a valence-bond dynamical mean-field approach to study c-axis charge dynamics in cuprates, connecting quasiparticle coherence loss with pseudogap emergence.

Findings

C-axis optical conductivity shifts from metallic to insulating with doping

Destruction of quasiparticles correlates with pseudogap opening

Results align with experimental spectroscopic and optical data

Abstract

We present calculations of the interplane charge dynamics in the normal state of cuprate superconductors within the valence-bond dynamical mean-field theory. We show that by varying the hole doping, the c-axis optical conductivity and resistivity dramatically change character, going from metallic-like at large doping to insulating-like at low-doping. We establish a clear connection between the behavior of the c-axis optical and transport properties and the destruction of coherent quasiparticles as the pseudogap opens in the antinodal region of the Brillouin zone at low doping. We show that our results are in good agreement with spectroscopic and optical experiments.