1302.7317 (Yucel Yildirim et al.)

Weak phase stiffness and nature of the quantum critical point in
underdoped cuprates    [PDF]

Yucel Yildirim, Wei Ku

We demonstrate that the zero-temperature superconducting phase diagram of underdoped cuprates can be quantitatively understood in the strong binding limit, using only the experimental spectral function of the "normal" pseudo-gap phase without any free parameter. In the prototypical (La$_{1-x}$Sr$_x$)$_2$CuO$_4$, a kinetics-driven d-wave superconductivity is obtained above the critical doping $\delta_c\sim 5.2%$, below which complete loss of superfluidity results from local quantum fluctuation involving local p-wave pairs. Near the critical doping, a enormous mass enhancement of the local pairs is found responsible for the observed rapid decrease of phase stiffness. Finally, a striking mass divergence is predicted at $\delta_c$ that dictates the occurrence of the observed quantum critical point and the sudden suppression of the Nernst effects in the nearby region.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1302.7317