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Sodium: A Charge-Transfer Insulator at High Pressures

Matteo Gatti, Ilya V. Tokatly, and Angel Rubio
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 216404 – Published 27 May 2010
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Abstract

By first-principles methods we analyze the optical response of transparent dense sodium as a function of applied pressure. We discover an unusual kind of charge-transfer exciton that proceeds from the interstitial distribution of valence electrons. The absorption spectrum is strongly anisotropic, which, just at pressures above the metal-insulator transition, manifests as sodium being optically transparent in one direction but reflective in the other. This result provides key information about the crystal structure of transparent sodium, a new unconventional inorganic electride.

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  • Received 25 February 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.216404

©2010 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Pressure dulls shiny metals

Published 28 May 2010

At high pressure, the simple metal sodium shows complex behavior, including directional transparency.

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Authors & Affiliations

Matteo Gatti1, Ilya V. Tokatly1,2, and Angel Rubio1,3

  • 1Nano-Bio Spectroscopy Group and ETSF Scientific Development Centre, Departamento Física de Materiales, Universidad del País Vasco, Centro de Física de Materiales CSIC-UPV/EHU-MPC and DIPC, Avenida Tolosa 72, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
  • 2IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48011 Bilbao, Spain
  • 3Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Theory Department, Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 104, Iss. 21 — 28 May 2010

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