Phenomenological theory of first- and second-order metal-insulator transitions at absolute zero

N. H. March, M. Suzuki, and M. Parrinello
Phys. Rev. B 19, 2027 – Published 15 February 1979
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

A phenomenological theory of metal-insulator transitions at T=0 is set up in which the order parameter is the discontinuity q in the single-particle occupation probability at the Fermi surface. Applied to the case of the second-order metal-insulator transition in a half-filled Hubbard band, q is found to have a critical exponent of unity, and the relation to Gutzwiller's variational treatment is exposed. The enhancement of the spin susceptibility by the Hubbard interaction is also treated. The same phenomenology is then applied to jellium, where a first-order metal-insulator transition occurs when the conducting electron fluid crystallizes on to the Wigner lattice. The form of the spin susceptibility, chemical potential, and energy is given near to, but on the high-density side of, the transition.

  • Received 20 October 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.19.2027

©1979 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

N. H. March

  • Theoretical Chemistry Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, England

M. Suzuki

  • Department of Physics, University of Tokyo 113, Japan

M. Parrinello

  • Department of Physics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 19, Iss. 4 — 15 February 1979

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×