Co-operating multiorbital and nonlocal correlations in bilayer nickelate

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex interplay of multiorbital and nonlocal correlations in bilayer nickelates using an advanced many-body model, revealing multiple low-energy states and explaining experimental controversies.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive three-orbital model with k-dependent correlations beyond DMFT, highlighting the role of interorbital interactions and spin-polaron formation in bilayer nickelates.

Findings

Different low-energy scenarios depend on interorbital interaction strength.

Spin-polaron formation leads to shadow bands with incoherent spectral weight.

Results explain recent ARPES experimental controversies.

Abstract

The interplay of multiorbital physics and nonlocal self-energy effects is studied within an effective three-orbital model for the high-pressure normal state of superconducting bilayer nickelate La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$. The model is solved within an advanced many-body framework capturing $k$-dependent correlations beyond dynamical mean-field theory. Different low-energy scenarios subtly depend on the strength of the interorbital interaction, either placing the notorious flat $\gamma$ quasiparticle band in the occupied part of the spectrum, or letting it cross the Fermi level. In the latter case, intriguing spin-polaron formation due to the scattering of electrons with paramagnon excitations takes place. This leads to bound states appearing as a shadow band with incoherent low-energy spectral weight below the Fermi level. Our results uncover additional competing states that exist in bilayer nickelates and could explain the controversy of recent angle-resolved photoemission experiments.