Polarization catastrophe at low densities of polarons: from Cuprates to Metal-Ammonia Solutions

TL;DR

This paper reviews how dielectric polarons influence the metal-insulator transition in polar materials, highlighting a polarization catastrophe in a polaron Wigner crystal model and its relevance to cuprates and metal-ammonia solutions.

Contribution

It introduces a model analyzing polarization catastrophe in a polaron Wigner crystal, connecting it to phenomena in cuprates and metal-ammonia solutions.

Findings

Polarization catastrophe can occur in a polaron Wigner crystal.

Long-range Coulomb interactions are crucial in the transition.

Relevance to high-temperature superconductors and metal solutions.

Abstract

We review some results on the role played by dielectric polarons at the metal-insulator transition in polarizable materials, taking into account the long-range nature of the Coulomb interactions. The occurrence of a polarization catastrophe is examined in a model describing a Wigner crystal of polarons. The possible relevance of this scenario in the cuprates and in metal-ammonia solutions is discussed.