The attraction between antiferromagnetic quantum vortices as origin of superconductivity in cuprates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel magnetic excitation mechanism involving antiferromagnetic spin vortices as the origin of superconductivity in cuprates, explaining many experimental features beyond traditional BCS theory.

Contribution

It proposes a new quantum magnetic excitation-based framework for superconductivity in cuprates, emphasizing vortex interactions and gauge forces.

Findings

Charge pairing from vortex attraction analogous to Kosterlitz-Thouless transition

Superconductivity from coherence of Zhang-Rice singlet pairs

Explains various experimental features of cuprates

Abstract

We propose as key of superconductivity in (hole-doped) cuprates a novel excitation of magnetic origin, characteristic of two-dimensions and of purely quantum nature: the antiferromagnetic spin vortices. In this formalism the charge pairing arises from a Kosterlitz-Thouless-like attraction between such vortices centered on opposite N\'eel sublattices. This charge pairing induces also the spin pairing through the action of a gauge force generated by the no-double occupation constraint imposed in the t-J model of the CuO planes of the cuprates. Superconductivity arises from coherence of pairs of excitations describing Zhang-Rice singlets and it is not of standard BCS type. We show that many experimental features of the cuprates can find a natural explanation in this formalism.