Mott correlated states in the underdoped two-dimensional Hubbard model: Variational Monte Carlo versus a dynamical cluster approximation

We investigate the properties of the frustrated underdoped Hubbard model on the square lattice using two complementary approaches, i.e., the dynamical cluster extension of the dynamical mean-field theory and the variational Monte Carlo simulations of Gutzwiller-Jastrow wave functions with backflow corrections. We compare and discuss data for the energy and the double occupancies, as obtained from both approaches. At small dopings, we observe a rapid crossover from a weakly correlated metal at low interaction strength U to a non-Fermi-liquid correlated state with strong local spin correlations. Furthermore, we investigate the stability of the correlated state against phase separation. We observe phase separation only for large values of U or very large frustration. No phase separation is present for the parameter range relevant for the cuprates.