Model of C-Axis Resistivity of High-$\Tc$ Cuprates

Abstract

We propose a simple model which accounts for the major features and systematics of experiments on the $c$-axis resistivity, $\rho_c$, for $\lsco$, $\ybco$ and $\bsco $. We argue that the $c$-axis resistivity can be separated into contributions from in-plane dephasing and the $c$-axis ``barrier'' scattering processes, with the low temperature semiconductor-like behavior of $\rho_c$ arising from the suppression of the in-plane density of states measured by in-plane magnetic Knight shift experiments. We report on predictions for $\rho_c$ in impurity-doped $\ybco$ materials.