  We analyze the recent vortex core spectroscopy experiments in cuprate
superconductor and discuss what can be learned from them about the nature of
the ground state in these compounds. We argue that the data are inconsistent
with the assumption of a simple metallic ground state and exhibit
characteristics of a doped Mott insulator. A theory for a vortex core in such a
doped Mott insulator is developed based on the U(1) gauge field slave boson
model and is shown to exhibit properties qualitatively consistent with the
experimental data.
