Umklapp scattering from spin fluctuations in Copper-Oxides

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Umklapp scattering from spin fluctuations affects electronic transport in cuprates, revealing significant differences from models assuming momentum-dissipating scattering, with implications for understanding high-temperature superconductors.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed calculation of momentum-dependent relaxation rates due to Umklapp processes in cuprates within a renormalized mean-field framework, contrasting with phenomenological models.

Findings

Umklapp scattering significantly influences resistivity and Hall effect in cuprates.

Models neglecting momentum conservation yield different transport behaviors.

Results align with experimental observations of temperature dependence in cuprate transport.

Abstract

The $\mathbf k$-dependent electronic momentum relaxation rate due to Umklapp scattering from antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations is studied within a renormalized mean-field approach to an extended $t-J$ model appropriate to YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-x}$ and other cuprates. Transport coefficients are calculated in a relaxation time approximation. We compare these results with those obtained with the phenomenological assumption that all scattering processes dissipate momentum. We show that the latter, which violates momentum conservation, leads to quite different magnitudes and temperature dependences of resistivities and Hall coefficients.