Variational wave function for an anisotropic single-hole-doped $t$-$J$ ladder

Abstract

Based on three general guiding principles, i.e., no double occupancy constraint, accurate description of antiferromagnetism at half-filling, and the precise sign structure of the $t$-$J$ model, a new ground state wave function has been constructed recently [Weng, New J. Phys. 13, 103039 (2011)]. In this paper, we specifically study such kind of variational ground state for the one-hole-doped anisotropic two-leg $t$-$J$ ladder using variational Monte Carlo (VMC) method. The results are then systematically compared with those recently obtained by density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) simulation. An excellent agreement is found between the VMC and DMRG results, including a "quantum critical point" at the anisotropy parameter $\alpha=\alpha_c\approx0.7$ (with the parameters $t/J=3$), and the emergence of charge modulation and momentum (Fermi point) reconstruction at $\alpha>\alpha_c$ due to the quantum interference of the sign structure. In particular, the wave function indicates that a Landau's quasiparticle description remains valid at $\alpha<\alpha_c$ but fails at $\alpha>\alpha_c$ due to the breakdown of the one-to-one correspondence of momentum and translational symmetry of the hole. The explicit form of the wave function provides a direct understanding on how the many-body strong correlation effect takes place non-perturbatively in a doped Mott insulator, which sheds interesting light on the two-dimensional case where the same type of wave function was proposed to describe the cuprate superconductor.