LaMnO$_3$ is a Mott Insulator: an precise definition and an evaluation of the local interaction strength

Abstract

We compare the interaction parameters measured on LaMnO$_3$ to single site dynamical mean field estimates of the critical correlation strength needed to drive a Mott transition, finding that the total correlation strength (electron-electron plus electron-lattice) is very close to but slightly larger than the critical value, while if the electron lattice interaction is neglected the model is metallic. Our results emphasize the importance of additional physics including the buckling of the Mn-O-Mn bonds.

2 figures, 9 pages, using the bandwidth with the observed structure in this version