Magnetic response of optimally doped Pr$_{1-x}$LaCe$_x$CuO$_4$

Abstract

The magnetic susceptibility of the optimally doped Pr$_{1-x}$LaCe$_x$CuO$_4$ in the superconducting state is calculated using the t-J model of Cu-O planes, Mori's projection operator technique and the dispersion of electron bands derived from photoemission experiments. The electron band folding across the antiferromagnetic Brillouin zone border, which is inherent in the crystal, leads to a commensurate low-frequency response. The same band folding causes the appearance of a supplementary spin-excitation branch. The coexistence of the two spin-excitation branches explains two maxima observed in the frequency dependence of the susceptibility. The calculated momentum and frequency dependencies are close to experimental observations. Similarities and differences in the magnetic responses of electron- and hole-doped cuprates are discussed.