On d+id density wave and superconducting orderings in hole-doped cuprates

TL;DR

This paper models the interplay of chiral d-density wave order and d-wave superconductivity in hole-doped cuprates, revealing their competition, spectral features, and thermodynamic properties within a mean-field framework.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent mean-field approach to analyze the coexistence and competition of CDDW and DSC orders in cuprates, highlighting their spectral and thermodynamic implications.

Findings

CDDW and DSC are competing orders affecting spectral weight.

Non-Fermi liquid behavior observed in the specific heat.

Strong-coupling features indicated by spectral weight depletion below Tc.

Abstract

The Chiral d-density wave (CDDW) order, at the anti-ferromagnetic wave vector (pi,pi), is assumed to represent the pseudo-gap (PG) state of a hole-doped cuprate superconductor. The pairing interaction required for the PG phase corresponds to a repulsive interaction of Coulombic origin. The d-wave superconductivity (DSC), driven by an appropriate assumed attractive interaction, is discussed within the mean-field framework together with the CDDW ordering. The single-particle excitation spectrum in the CDDW and DSC state is characterized by the Bogolubov quasi-particle bands-a characteristic feature of SC state. The coupled gap equations are solved self-consistently together with the equation to determine the chemical potential. With the pinning of the van Hove-singularities close to the chemical potential, one is able to calculate the thermodynamic and transport properties of the under-doped cuprates in a consistent manner. The electronic specific heat displays non-Fermi liquid feature in the CDDW state. The CDDW and DSC are found to represent two competing orders as the former brings about a depletion of the spectral weight (and Raman response function density) available for pairing in the anti-nodal region of momentum space.This is not in agreement with a preformed pairing scenario and justifies the different structures we have assumed for the pseudo-gap and the superconducting gap. Furthermore, these gaps in the excitation spectrum do not merge into a single quadrature gap. It is also shown that the depletion of the spectral weight below Tc at energies larger than the gap amplitude occurs. This is an indication of the strong-coupling superconductivity in cuprates. The calculation of the ratio of the quasi-particle thermal conductivity and temperature in the superconductiong phase is found to be constant in the limit of near-zero quasi-particle scattering rate.