A statistically consistent variational approach to the renormalized mean-field theory of the t-J model: critical hole concentrations for a paired state

Abstract

Recently, Fukushima [Phys. Rev. B \textbf{78} 115105 (2008)] proposed a systematic derivation of the Gutzwiller approximation for the t-J model. In the present paper, using this approach we construct an effective single-particle Hamiltonian, which leads to a renormalized mean-field theory (RMFT). We also use the method proposed by us recently and based on the maximum entropy principle (MaxEnt), which in turn, yields a consistent statistical description of the problem. On the examples of non-magnetic superconducting d-wave resonating valence bond (dRVB) and normal staggered-flux (SF) solutions, we compare two selections of the Gutzwiller renormalization schemes, i.e. the one proposed by Fukushima with that used earlier by Sigrist et al. [Phys. Rev. B \textbf{49}, 12 058 (1994)]. We also confront the results coming from our variational solutions with the self-consistency conditions build in, with those of the non-variational approach based on the Bogoliubov-de Gennes self-consistent equations. Combination of the present variational approach with the new renormalization scheme (taken from Fukushima's work) provides, for $t/J =3$, an upper critical hole concentration $x_{c} \approx 0.27$ for the disappearance of the d-wave superconductivity. Also, the hole concentration $x \approx 0.125$ is obtained for the optimal doping. These results are in rough accordance with experimental results for high-$T_c$ superconducting cuprates.