Effective bi-layer model Hamiltonian and density-matrix renormalization group study for the high-Tc superconductivity in La$_{3}$Ni$_{2}$O$_{7}$ under high pressure

Abstract

High-Tc superconductivity with possible $T_{c}\approx 80K$ has been reported in the single crystal of $\text{La}_{3}\text{Ni}_{2}\text{O}_{7}$ under high pressure. Based on the electronic structure given from the density functional theory calculations, we propose an effective bi-layer model Hamiltonian including both $3d_{z^{2}}$ and $3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ orbital electrons of the nickel cations. The main feature of the model is that the $3d_{z^{2}}$ electrons form inter-layer $\sigma$-bonding and anti-bonding bands via the apical oxygen anions between the two layers, while the $3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ electrons hybridize with the $3d_{z^{2}}$ electrons within each NiO$_2$ plane. The chemical potential difference of these two orbital electrons ensures that the $3d_{z^{2}}$ orbitals are close to half-filling and the $3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ orbitals are near quarter-filling. The strong on-site Hubbard repulsion of the $3d_{z^{2}}$ orbital electrons gives rise to an effective inter-layer antiferromagnetic spin super-exchange $J$. Applying pressure can self-dope holes on the $3d_{z^{2}}$ orbitals with the same amount of electrons doped on the $3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ orbitals. By performing numerical density-matrix renormalization group calculations on a minimum setup and focusing on the limit of large $J$ and small doping of $3d_{z^{2}}$ orbitals, we find the superconducting instability on both the $3d_{z^{2}}$ and $3d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ orbitals by calculating the equal-time spin singlet pair-pair correlation function. Our numerical results have provided useful insights in the high-Tc superconductivity in single crystal La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ under high pressure.