C-axis Optical Sum Rule in Josephson Coupled Vortex State

Abstract

Observed violations of the $c$-axis optical sum rule can give important information on deviations from in-plane Fermi liquid behavior and on the nature of interlayer coupling between adjacent copper oxide planes. Application of a magnetic field perpendicular to these planes is another way to probe in-plane dynamics. We find that the optical sum rule is considerably modified in the presence of the $c$-axis magnetic field. Interlayer correlation of pancake vortices is involved in the sum rule modification; however, details of the vortex distribution in the plane are less important.