We use a renormalized mean-field theory of the t-J model to show that flux states closely related to those recently proposed by Anderson, Shastry, and Hristopoulos are stabilized, at values of J/t≳1, when the flux per plaquette is commensurate with the electron density in a way similar to that found recently for noninteracting electrons. These states (in the interacting t-J model) are characterized by a collective gauge variable which leads to superconductivity. At not too small values of J/t the state with half a flux quantum per plaquette is stable at low doping.

• Received 18 May 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.1519