Is the atomic metal vapor a dielectric state?

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to calculate metal vapor conductivity near the critical point, suggesting gaseous metal is not a dielectric and challenging previous ideas about metal-dielectric transitions.

Contribution

It proposes a new calculation method based on electron jellium hypothesis, providing evidence against the liquid metal-dielectric transition.

Findings

Good agreement with experimental data for alkali metals

Supports the 'cold ionization' mechanism near critical point

Gaseous metal is not a dielectric state

Abstract

We propose a simple method for calculating the metal vapor conductivity at the critical point and near-critical isotherms. This method's base is the hypothesis of an electron jellium's existence as an origin of the conduction band in metal vapor's gaseous phase. Satisfactory agreement with the experimental data for alkali metals (Cs, Rb) concludes that the "cold ionization" mechanism is possible in the critical point's vicinity. The liquid metal-dielectric transition, as previously thought, does not occur; but the liquid metal-gaseous metal transition occurs probably. The gaseous metal is not a dielectric state of the metal.