The Crystallization of polarons at finite density, due to the long-range Coulomb forces — when no bipolarons can be formed — is discussed close to the metal–insulator transition (MIT). As a function of the density, the melting is examined at zero temperature. By calculating the quantum fluctuations of both the electron and the polarization, we show that at strong electron–phonon coupling the dissociation of the polarons at the MIT is favored, rather than the melting towards a polaron liquid. In this regime, we demonstrate, that an instability of the transverse vibrational modes of the polaron crystal occurs as the density increases. This provides a new physical mechanism for the MIT in polar materials, for which an experimental signature is predicted.
Spin waves and large electron-phonon coupling near the metal-insulator transition in hole-doped high-Tcoxides
