A multiple wave vector ($\mathbf{Q}$) reconstruction of the Fermi surface is shown to yield a profoundly different electronic structure to that characteristic of single wave vector reconstruction, despite their proximity in energy. We consider the specific case in which ordering is generated by ${\mathbf{Q}}_x=[2\pi a,0]$ and ${\mathbf{Q}}_y=[0,2\pi b]$ (in which $a=b=\frac{1}{4}$)—similar to those identified in neutron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy experiments—and more generally show that an isolated pocket adjacent to the nodal point ${\mathbf{k}}_{\mathrm{nodal}}=[\pm \frac{\pi }{2},\pm \frac{\pi }{2}]$ is a protected feature of such a multiple-$\mathbf{Q}$ model, potentially corresponding to the nodal “Fermi arcs” observed in photoemission and the small size of the electronic heat capacity found in high magnetic fields—importantly, containing electron carriers which can yield negative Hall and Seebeck coefficients observed in high magnetic fields.

• Received 8 March 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.226402