Classical delocalization of interacting electrons

We present a computer simulation study of a disordered two-dimensional system of localized interacting electrons at thermal equilibrium. Is is shown that the configuration of occupied sites within the Coulomb gap persistently changes at temperatures much less than the gap width. Also, we observe thermal equilibration at low temperatures, which suggests that a glass transition may occur only at T = 0. The results are interpreted in terms of the drift of the system between multiple energy minima, and may imply that interacting electrons are effectively delocalized within the Coulomb gap. Insulating properties, such as hopping conduction, appear as a result of long equilibration times associated with glassy dynamics. These results may shine new light on the problem of the metal-insulator transition.