It is shown that antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in a two-dimensional metal, such as heavily doped cuprate superconductors, lead to a pseudogap in the electronic spectrum. The spectral function evolves from one peak in the Fermi-liquid regime to two peaks, one for particles and one for holes. The self-energy of spin bags and their pairing interaction are calculated. These results are consistent with the corresponding results in the weakly doped ordered antiferromagnet.

• Received 2 October 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.41.6399