Staggered-vorticity correlations in a lightly doped t-J model: A variational approach

We report staggered-vorticity correlations of current in the d-wave variational wave function for the lightly doped t-J model. Such correlations are explained from the SU(2) symmetry relating d-wave and staggered-flux mean-field phases. The correlation functions computed by the variational Monte Carlo method suggest that pairs are formed of holes circulating in opposite directions.