Mott insulator

<p>Mott insulators are a class of materials that are expected to <a href="/facts/Electrical_conductivity/akyCKvMy">conduct electricity</a> according to conventional <a href="/facts/Electronic_band_structure/W5o7oE2R">band theories</a>, but turn out to be <a href="/facts/Electrical_insulator/SfSXkrh5">insulators</a> (particularly at low temperatures). These insulators fail to be correctly described by band theories of solids due to their strong <a href="/facts/Electron/L0KBo5cW">electron</a>–electron interactions, which are not considered in conventional band theory. A Mott transition is a transition from a metal to an insulator, driven by the strong interactions between electrons. One of the simplest models that can capture Mott transition is the <a href="/facts/Hubbard_model/5pphLNde">Hubbard model</a>.
</p><p>The band gap in a Mott insulator exists between bands of like character, such as 3d electron bands, whereas the band gap in <a href="/facts/Charge-transfer_insulators/T86tKBsN">charge-transfer insulators</a> exists between anion and cation states.
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Mott insulator open-in-new

Mott insulator