Quantum critical spin liquids and superconductivity in the cuprates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new quantum critical point model for 2D antiferromagnets, proposing it explains the transition to superconductivity in cuprates and aligns with recent experimental and numerical findings.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum critical spin liquid framework that captures the transition from antiferromagnetic order to a VBS-like state and relates to superconductivity in cuprates.

Findings

Model reproduces experimental features of cuprates

Captures transition from Nèel order to VBS state

Aligns with numerical results on Hubbard model

Abstract

We describe a new kind of quantum critical point in the context of quantum anti-ferromagnetism in 2d that can be understood as a quantum critical spin liquid. Based on the comparison of exponents with previous numerical work, we argue it describes a transition from an anti-ferromagnetic N\'eel ordered state to a VBS-like state. We argue further that the symplectic fermions capture the proper degrees of freedom in the zero temperature phase that is the parent to the superconducting phase in the cuprates. We then show that our model reproduces some features found recently in experiments and also in the Hubbard model.