VO: A Strongly Correlated Metal Close to a Mott- Hubbard Transition

TL;DR

This paper provides experimental and computational evidence that rock-salt cubic VO is a strongly correlated metal near a Mott-Hubbard transition, exhibiting non-Fermi-liquid behavior, strong spin-lattice coupling, and signs of a pseudogap.

Contribution

It introduces a new electronic phase diagram for 3d monoxides, highlighting VO's proximity to a magnetic quantum phase transition and its unique correlated properties.

Findings

VO is a strongly correlated metal with non-Fermi-liquid thermodynamics.

An unusual sign change in thermopower suggests a pseudogap in the density of states.

The results support the classification of VO as near a magnetic quantum phase transition.

Abstract

Here we present experimental and computational evidences to support that rock-salt cubic VO is a strongly correlated metal with Non-Fermi-Liquid thermodynamics and an unusually strong spin-lattice coupling. An unexpected change of sign of metallic thermopower with composition is tentatively ascribed to the presence of a pseudogap in the density of states. These properties are discussed as signatures of the proximity to a magnetic quantum phase transition. The results are summarized in a new electronic phase diagram for the 3d monoxides, which resembles that of other strongly correlated systems. The structural and electronic simplicity of 3d monoxides make them ideal candidates to progress in the understanding of highly correlated electron systems.