Raman Scattering and Anomalous Current Algebra: Observation of Chiral Bound State in Mott Insulators

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical interpretation of Raman scattering experiments in Mott insulators, revealing a chiral bound state of a hole and a doubly occupied site linked to topological magnetic excitations, with implications for superconductivity.

Contribution

The paper introduces a theoretical framework connecting Raman scattering observations to chiral bound states and topological magnetic excitations in Mott insulators, highlighting a new mechanism relevant to superconductivity.

Findings

Observation of a new excitation in Raman scattering experiments.

Interpretation of this excitation as a chiral bound state.

Proposal that inelastic light scattering measures local chirality.

Abstract

Recent experiments on inelastic light scattering in a number of insulating cuprates [1] revealed a new excitation appearing in the case of crossed polarizations just below the optical absorption threshold. This observation suggests that there exists a local exciton-like state with an odd parity with respect to a spatial reflection. We present the theory of high energy large shift Raman scattering in Mott insulators and interpret the experiment [1] as an evidence of a chiral bound state of a hole and a doubly occupied site with a topological magnetic excitation. A formation of these composites is a crucial feature of various topological mechanisms of superconductivity. We show that inelastic light scattering provides an instrument for direct measurements of a local chirality and anomalous terms in the electronic current algebra.