Interaction-Tuned Anderson versus Mott Localization.

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Strongly Correlated Electron Systems
• Computational Materials Science

Background:

• Metallic states can become insulating due to disorder or strong electron interactions.
• The interplay between these mechanisms and vanishing conductivity is a key research area.
• A unified theoretical framework for these transitions remains elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interplay of disorder and electron correlation in driving metal-insulator transitions.
• To analyze the two-dimensional Falicov-Kimball model for insights into vanishing conductivity.
• To establish a unifying picture for different routes to insulating states.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the two-dimensional Falicov-Kimball model, a standard for strong electron correlation.
• Analyzing the model under particle-hole symmetry conditions.
• Characterizing electronic properties including density of states, conductivity, and occupation patterns.

Main Results:

• Identification of three distinct thermodynamic insulating phases.
• Demonstration of Anderson localization within the model.
• Re-evaluation of previously reported metallic phases as finite-size effects related to weak localization.

Conclusions:

• The Falicov-Kimball model provides a platform to study the interplay of disorder and correlation.
• Anderson localization and distinct insulating phases are key features under particle-hole symmetry.
• Findings offer implications for understanding strongly correlated systems and metal-insulator transitions.