Quasiparticle evolution and pseudogap formation in V(2)O(3): An infrared spectroscopy study

The infrared conductivity of V(2)O(3) is measured in the whole phase diagram. Quasiparticles appear above the Neel temperature T(N) and eventually disappear further enhancing the temperature, leading to a pseudogap in the optical spectrum above 425 K. Our calculations demonstrate that this loss of coherence can be explained only if the temperature dependence of lattice parameters is considered. V(2)O(3) is therefore effectively driven from the "metallic" to the "insulating" side of the Mott transition as the temperature is increased. RI Capone, Massimo/A-7762-2008