About the concept of electron localization

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of electron localization from a conceptual perspective, without going into technical details. In particular, it analyzes two cases in which electrons are confined to a specific region near one or more atoms, but with different characteristics: electron localization in molecules and in crystalline solids. The features and requirements for localization in each case are discussed, along with their specific interpretative challenges and the various proposals put forward to address them.