# 2D-MIT as self-doping of a Wigner-Mott insulator

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a new interaction-driven model for the 2D metal-insulator transition, where melting of the Wigner crystal via vacancy-interstitial pairs leads to self-doping and a transition to a heavy Fermi liquid, explaining experimental puzzles.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel self-doping mechanism for the 2D-MIT based on vacancy-interstitial pair formation in a Wigner crystal.

## Key findings

- Transition from Wigner-Mott insulator to heavy Fermi liquid as self-doping instability
- Explains puzzling features of the 2D metal-insulator transition
- Analogous to solid-liquid transition in He3

## Abstract

We consider an interaction-driven scenario for the two-dimensional metal-insulator transition in zero magnetic field (2D-MIT), based on melting the Wigner crystal through vacancy-interstitial pair formation. We show that the transition from the Wigner-Mott insulator to a heavy Fermi liquid emerges as an instability to self-doping, resembling conceptually the solid to normal liquid transition in He3. The resulting physical picture naturally explains many puzzling features of the 2D-MIT.