Spin-charge gauge symmetry: A way to tackle HTS cuprates?

Abstract We propose an explanation of several experimental features of transport phenomena in the normal state of high T c cuprates in terms of a spin-charge gauge theory of the 2D t – J model. The calculated doping ( δ )–temperature ( T ) dependence for a number of physical quantities is found in qualitative agreement with data. In particular, we recover: in the ‘pseudogap phase’ the metal-insulator crossover of the in-plane resistivity and of the NMR ‘relaxation time’ ( T 1 T ) 63 and the insulating behavior of the out-of-plane resistivity; in the ‘strange metal phase’ (at higher T or δ ) the linear in T behavior of the above quantities; the appearance of maxima in the in-plane far-infrared conductivity in strongly underdoped and overdoped samples.