Correlation induced insulator to metal transition: A systematic density functional study on highly doped n-type trans-polyacetylene

Abstract

Since its discovery in 1977, a number of quantum chemical calculations have been attempted to simulate the metallic state of highly doped trans-polyacetylene. These simulations have focused on the possible closure of the band gap at high doping level due to a charge-induced elimination of Peierls distortion; however, conclusive demonstration of a metallic state has not been achieved. The present study presents density functional theory calculations of the band structure of highly doped trans-polyacetylene with explicit inclusion of the metal atoms in a one-dimensional periodic structure. The results indicate (i) small lattice dimerization, i.e., remnant of Peierls distortion exists even in the heavily doped trans-polyacetylene sample, (ii) charge induced closure of the Peierls gap is not a necessary condition to arrive at a metallic state in such systems, and (iii) electronic correlation, as described at the density functional theory level, with a charge induced small Peierls distortion is sufficient to achieve metallic state of highly doped n-type trans-polyacetylene even in one dimension. Furthermore, comparison of functionals that include differing degrees of electron correlation suggest that correlation promotes formation of the metallic state.