- Letter
Absence of critical fluctuations at the bandwidth-controlled Mott transition in a molecular conductor
Phys. Rev. B 112, L121101 – Published 2 September, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j1jp-yy68
Abstract
The universality class of the Mott metal-insulator transition in electronic systems strongly coupled to the lattice degrees of freedom has been the subject of recent debate. While transport scaling exponents as well as a critical slowing down of resistance fluctuations point towards Ising-type criticality, a strong involvement of the lattice elasticity suggests a mean-field scenario instead. We investigate the low-frequency resistance noise in the model system —selected because it is known to exhibit critical elasticity—tuned to the Mott end point by hydrostatic pressure. Contrary to previous reports for the related, deuterated -Br compound, we do not find any indication of a critical slowing down, but observe a strong and anisotropic change of the relative resistance noise level in the metallic compared to the insulating phase. We speculate within the framework of isostructural criticality that a critical slowing down might emerge in the presence of structural disorder.