Effective Bi-Layer Model Hamiltonian and Density-Matrix Renormalization Group Study for the High-T c Superconductivity in La3Ni2O7 under High Pressure

Abstract

High-T c superconductivity with possible T c ≈ 80 K has been reported in the single crystal of La3Ni2O7 under high pressure. Based on the electronic structure given by 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 σ-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 NiO2 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 may provide useful insights in the high-T c superconductivity in single crystal La3Ni2O7 under high pressure.