Quantum fluctuations and glassy behavior of electrons near metal-insulator transitions

Abstract

Glassy behavior is a generic feature of electrons close to disorder-driven metal-insulator transitions. Deep in the insulating phase, electrons are tightly bound to impurities, and thus classical models for electron glasses have long been used. As the metallic phase is approached, quantum fluctuations become more important, as they control the electronic mobility. In this paper we review recent work that used extended dynamical mean-field approaches to discuss the influence of such quantum fluctuations on the glassy behavior of electrons, and examine how the stability of the glassy phase is affected by the Anderson and the Mott mechanisms of localization.