Loop currents in ladder cuprates: A dynamical mean field theory study

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of spontaneous loop currents in the two-leg ladder cuprate Sr$_{14-x}$Ca$_x$Cu$_{24}$O$_{41}$ by applying cluster dynamical mean field theory (CDMFT) to a seven-band Hubbard model for that compound, with an exact diagonalization solver. We sample several values of the local interaction $U_d$ and of the Cu-O energy difference $E_{pd}$, by applying an external field that induces loop currents. We find no instance of spontaneous loop currents once the external field is brought to zero.