Is the atomic metal vapor a dielectric state?

Abstract

We propose a simple method for calculating the metal vapor conductivity at the critical point and near-critical isotherms. This method's base is the hypothesis of an electron jellium's existence as an origin of the conduction band in metal vapor's gaseous phase. Satisfactory agreement with the experimental data for alkali metals (Cs, Rb) concludes that the "cold ionization" mechanism is possible in the critical point's vicinity. The liquid metal-dielectric transition, as previously thought, does not occur; but the liquid metal-gaseous metal transition occurs probably. The gaseous metal is not a dielectric state of the metal.