High-energy pseudogap in degenerate Hubbard model induced via Hund coupling

Hund coupling in the degenerate five-band Hubbard model near n=6 occupancy is shown to give rise to a significant depletion of spectral weight above the Fermi level. Calculations within dynamical mean field theory combined with exact diagonalization reveal that this pseudogap is associated with a collective mode in the self-energy caused by spin fluctuations. The pseudogap is remarkably stable over a wide range of Coulomb and exchange energies, but disappears for weak Hund coupling. The implications of this phenomenon for optical spectra of iron pnictides are discussed.