Change in Electronic State (IMAGE) Tohoku University Caption These are schematic depictions of the Jahn-Teller molecular distortion of the fullerene units in the Mott-Jahn-Teller insulator (blue molecules) and the Jahn-Teller metal (yellow molecules), their respective molecular electronic structure (lifting of the orbital degeneracy due to the distortion), and the resulting intermolecular hopping of the electrons (prohibited in the insulator, weak hopping in the Jahn-Teller metal). This situation contrasts with the behavior of the conventional metal where hopping is allowed, the orbital degeneracy is retained, and the molecules are undistorted (green molecules). Credit Prassides Kosmas Usage Restrictions Credit: Prassides Kosmas License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.