On an SO(5) unification attempt for the cuprates

In this note we bring out several problems with the SO(5) unification attempt of Zhang [cond-mat/9610140].Comment: 3 pages, latex (revtex

Spin-charge separation at small lengthscales in the 2D t-J model

We consider projected wavefunctions for the 2D $t-J$ model. For various wavefunctions, including correlated Fermi-liquid and Luttinger-type wavefunctions we present the static charge-charge and spin-spin structure factors. Comparison with recent results from a high-temperature expansion by Putikka {\it et al.} indicates spin-charge separation at small lengthscales.Comment: REVTEX, 5 pages, 5 figures hardcopies availabl

A numerical and analytical study of two holes doped into the 2D t--J model

Exact diagonalization numerical results are presented for a 32-site square cluster, with two holes propagating in an antiferromagnetic background described by the t-J model. We characterize the wave function of the lowest energy bound state found in this calculation, which has d_{x^2-y^2} symmetry. Analytical work is presented, based on a Lang-Firsov-type canonical transformation derived quasiparticle Hamiltonian, that accurately agrees with numerically determined values for the electron momentum distribution function and the pair correlation function. We interpret this agreement as strong support for the validity of this description of the hole quasiparticles.Comment: 3 pages, REVTeX, to appear in the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Spectroscopies in Novel Superconductors, September 14-18, 1997, Cape Cod, Massachusett

Fermi edge singularities in X-ray spectra of strongly correlated fermions

We discuss the problem of the X-ray absorption in a system of interacting fermions and, in particular, those features in the X-ray spectra that can be used to discriminate between conventional Fermi-liquids and novel "strange metals". Focusing on the case of purely forward scattering off the core-hole potential, we account for the relevant interactions in the conduction band by means of the bosonization technique. We find that the X-ray Fermi edge singularities can still be present, although modified, even if the density of states vanishes at the Fermi energy, and that, in general, the relationship between the two appears to be quite subtle.Comment: Latex, 16 pages, Princeton preprin

Superconductivity in CoO2_2 Layers and the Resonating Valence Bond Mean Field Theory of the Triangular Lattice t-J model

Motivated by the recent discovery of superconductivity in two dimensional CoO$_2$ layers, we present some possibly useful results of the RVB mean field theory applied to the triangular lattice. Away from half filling, the order parameter is found to be complex, and yields a fully gapped quasiparticle spectrum. The sign of the hopping plays a crucial role in the analysis, and we find that superconductivity is as fragile for one sign as it is robust for the other. Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot y$H$_2$O is argued to belong to the robust case, by comparing the LDA Fermi surface with an effective tight binding model. The high frequency Hall constant in this system is potentially interesting, since it is pointed out to increase linearly with temperature without saturation for T $>$ T$_{degeneracy}$.Comment: Published in Physical Review B, total 1 tex + 9 eps files. Erratum added as separate tex file on November 7, 2003, a numerical factor corrected in the erratum on Dec 3, 200

Parity (and time-reversal) anomaly in a semiconductor

The physics of a parity anomaly, potentially observable in a narrow-gap semiconductor, is revisited. Fradkin, Dagotto, and Boyanovsky have suggested that a Hall current of anomalous parity can be induced by a Peierls distortion on a domain wall. I argue that a perturbation inducing the parity anomaly must break the time reversal symmetry, which rules out the Peierls distortion as a potential cause. I list all possible perturbations that can generate the anomaly.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure. Sign errors fixe

Flow equation analysis of the anisotropic Kondo model

We use the new method of infinitesimal unitary transformations to calculate zero temperature correlation functions in the strong-coupling phase of the anisotropic Kondo model. We find the dynamics on all energy scales including the crossover behaviour from weak to strong coupling. The integrable structure of the Hamiltonian is not used in our approach. Our method should also be useful in other strong-coupling models since few other analytical methods allow the evaluation of their correlation functions on all energy scales.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 2 eps figures include

Theory of Asymmetric Tunneling in the cuprate superconductors

We explain quantitatively, within the Gutzwiller-Resonating Valence Bond theory, the puzzling observation of tunneling conductivity between a metallic point and a cuprate high-$T_c$ superconductor which is markedly asymmetric between positive and negative voltage biases. The asymmetric part does not have a "coherence peak" but does show structure due to the gap. The fit to data is satisfactory within the over-simplifications of the theory; in particular, it explains the marked "peak-dip-hump" structure observed on the hole side and a number of other qualitative observations. This asymmetry is strong evidence for the projective nature of the ground state and hence for "t-J" physics.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, revised 6/1/0

Particle tunneling through a polarizable insulator

The tunneling probability between two leads connected by a molecule, a chain, a film, or a bulk polarizable insulator is investigated within a model of an electron tunneling from lead A to a state higher in energy, describing the barrier, and from there to lead B. To describe the possibility of energy exchange with excitations of the molecule or the insulator we couple the intermediate state to a single oscillator or to a spectrum of these, respectively. In the single-oscillator case we find for weak coupling that the tunneling is weakly suppressed by a Debye-Waller-type factor. For stronger coupling the oscillator gets 'stiff' and we observe a suppression of tunneling since the effective barrier is increased. The probability for the electron to excite the oscillator increases with the coupling. In the case of a film, or a bulk barrier the behavior is qualitatively the same as in the single oscillator case. An insulating chain, as opposed to a film or a bulk connecting the two leads,shows an 'orthogonality catastrophe' similar to that of an electronic transition in a Fermi gas.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur