Stripe formation: A quantum critical point for cuprate superconductors

TL;DR

This paper explores how a nearby quantum critical point related to stripe phases influences superconductivity and non-Fermi liquid behavior in cuprates, proposing a comprehensive scenario for their phase diagram.

Contribution

It introduces a unified framework linking stripe quantum criticality, charge segregation, and superconductivity in cuprate materials.

Findings

Quantum critical fluctuations induce pairing and non-Fermi liquid behavior.

Superconductivity stabilizes against charge order near the critical point.

Charge density wave criticality is suppressed by superconductivity.

Abstract

We discuss the effects of a quantum critical point located nearby optimum doping and related to local charge segregation (stripe phase). The fluctuations in the critical region produce at the same time a strong pairing mechanism and a non-Fermi liquid behavior in the normal phase above the superconducting critical temperature. Superconductivity is a stabilizing mechanism against charge ordering, i.e. the incommensurate charge density wave quantum critical point is unstable with respect to superconductivity. A complete scenario for the cuprates is presented.