On the origin of the Fermi arc phenomenon in the underdoped cuprates: signature ofKT-type superconducting transition

Abstract

The origin of the Fermi arc phenomenon in the pseudogap phase of theunderdoped cuprates is studied in the thermal phase fluctuation scenario. AnXY-type lattice model with a built in d-wave structure is introduced to describe the phasefluctuation effect in the cuprates. A sharp ridge-like structure in the spectral functionA(k, ω = 0) is found to emerge abruptly above the Kosterlitz–Thouless (KT) transition temperature (TKT) on the underlying Fermi surface. This ridge-like structure inA(k, ω = 0) bears a close resemblance to the observed Fermi arc phenomenon in its temperaturedependence and shape in the momentum space. These results provide yet more strongevidence for the KT transition nature of the superconducting transition in the underdopedcuprates.