Metal-insulator transition in correlated two-dimensional systems with disorder

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental evidence and theoretical insights into the metal-insulator transition in two-dimensional systems, emphasizing the role of disorder, charge dynamics, and correlations in different materials.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the universality classes, charge dynamics, and the nature of the transition in 2D systems with disorder and strong correlations.

Findings

Disorder influences the universality class of the MIT in 2D.

Charge dynamics suggest the MIT as Coulomb glass melting.

Comparative analysis of 2D materials and cuprates enhances understanding.

Abstract

Experimental evidence for the possible universality classes of the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in two dimensions (2D) is discussed. Sufficiently strong disorder, in particular, changes the nature of the transition. Comprehensive studies of the charge dynamics are also reviewed, describing evidence that the MIT in a 2D electron system in silicon should be viewed as the melting of the Coulomb glass. Comparisons are made to recent results on novel 2D materials and quasi-2D strongly correlated systems, such as cuprates.