Perfect dc conductance of a finite width Mott insulator sandwiched between metallic leads at zero temperature: a quantum emergent phenomenon in strongly correlated multilayers

Using inhomogeneous dynamical mean-field theory, we argue that the normal-metal proximity effect forces any finite number of "barrier" planes that are described by the (paramagnetic) Hubbard model and sandwiched between semi-infinite metallic leads to always be a Fermi liquid at T=0. This then implies that the inhomogeneous system restores lattice periodicity at zero frequency, has a well-defined Fermi surface, and should display perfect (ballistic) conductivity or "transparency". These results are, however, fragile with respect to finite frequency, V, T, disorder, or magnetism, all of which restore the expected quantum tunneling regime through a finite-width Mott insulator. Our formal results are complemented by numerical renormalization group studies on small thickness barriers that illustrate under what circumstances this behavior might be seen in real experimental systems.

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