Spin scattering turns complex at strong coupling: the key to pseudogap and Fermi arcs in the Hubbard model

We analyze the pseudogap phenomenon of hole-doped cuprates via a Feynman-diagrammatic inspection of the Hubbard model. Our approach captures the pivotal interplay between Mott localization and Fermi surface topology beyond weak-coupling spin fluctuations, which open a spectral gap near hot spots. We show that strong coupling and particle-hole asymmetry give rise to another mechanism: the spin-fermion vertex develops a large imaginary part. While its real part always suppresses the electronic lifetime, the imaginary part has a twofold effect. For antinodal fermions a gap opening is boosted; conversely, around the node Fermi arcs are protected.