Mott transitions in the Hubbard model with spatially-modulated interactions

Abstract: We study two-component fermions in optical lattices with spatially alternating on-site interactions using dynamical mean-field theory. Calculating the quasi-particle weight, double occupancy, and order parameters for each sublattice, we discuss the low-temperature properties of the system. When both interactions are repulsive, the magnetically ordered state is realized at half-filling. In the attractive case, the superfluid state is, in general, realized with a particle number imbalance. On the other hand, when repulsive and attractive interactions are comparable in the half-filled system, the magnetically ordered and superfluid states are not realized, but the metal-insulator transition occurs. This transition is characterized by the Mott and pairing transitions discussed in the conventional repulsive and attractive Hubbard models. In the doped system, commensurability emerges owing to the repulsive interactions and the metal-insulator transition occurs down to quarter-filling.