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

Proceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi", Course CLXI -"Polarons in Bulk Materials and Systems with Reduced Dimensionality"