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 $\mathrm{SU}\left(2\right)$ 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.

• Received 4 October 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3958