Quantum Theory of the Smectic Metal State in Stripe Phases

We present a theory of the electron smectic fixed point of the stripe phases of doped layered Mott insulators. We show that in the presence of a spin gap three phases generally arise: (a) a smectic superconductor, (b) an insulating stripe crystal, and (c) a smectic metal. The latter phase is a stable two-dimensional anisotropic non-Fermi liquid. In the absence of a spin gap there is also a more conventional Fermi-liquid-like phase. The smectic superconductor and smectic metal phases (or glassy versions thereof) may have already been seen in Nd-doped ${\mathrm{La}}_{2-x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_x{\mathrm{CuO}}_4$.