Inhomogeneous states with checkerboard order in the t-J Model

TL;DR

This paper investigates inhomogeneous checkerboard states in the t-J model, revealing their origin from Fermi surface instabilities and their connection to STM-observed patterns in underdoped cuprates.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of checkerboard order from Fermi surface instabilities in the t-J model using an unrestricted Gutzwiller approximation.

Findings

Checkerboard order develops at specific wave vectors tied to susceptibility peaks.

Order emerges from Fermi surface instabilities of both the staggered flux phase and Fermi liquid.

Properties of these states relate to observed STM patterns in cuprates.

Abstract

We study inhomogeneous states in the t-J model using an unrestricted Gutzwiller approximation. We find that $pa\times pa$ checkerboard order, where $p$ is a doping dependent number, emerges from Fermi surface instabilities of both the staggered flux phase and the Fermi liquid state with realistic band parameters. In both cases, the checkerboard order develops at wave vectors $(\pm 2\pi/pa,0)$, $(0,\pm2\pi/pa)$ that are tied to the peaks of the wave-vector dependent susceptibility, and is of the Lomer-Rice-Scott type. The properties of such periodic, inhomogeneous states are discussed in connection to the checkerboard patterns observed by STM in underdoped cuprates.