Effects of c-axis hopping in the interlayer tunneling model of high-Tc layered cuprates

We consider the interlayer pair-tunneling model for layered cuprates, inclu ding an effective single particle hopping along the c-axis. A phenomenologi cal suppression of the c-axis hopping matrix element, by the pseudogap in c uprate superconductors, is incorporated. At optimal doping, quantities char acteristic to the superconducting state, such as the transition temperature and the superconducting gap are calculated. Results from our calculations are consistent with the experimental observations with the noteworthy point that, the superconducting gap as a function of temperature shows excellent match to the experimental data. Predictions within the model, regarding T- c variation with interlayer coupling, are natural outcomes which could be t ested further.