We study the Mott metal-insulator transition in the two-band Hubbard model with different hopping amplitudes $t_1$ and $t_2$ for the two orbitals on the two-dimensional square lattice by using {it non-magnetic} variational wave functions, similarly t
o what has been considered in the limit of infinite dimensions by dynamical mean-field theory. We work out the phase diagram at half filling (i.e., two electrons per site) as a function of $R=t_2/t_1$ and the on-site Coulomb repulsion $U$, for two values of the Hunds coupling $J=0$ and $J/U=0.1$. Our results are in good agreement with previous dynamical mean-field theory calculations, demonstrating that the non-magnetic phase diagram is only slightly modified from infinite to two spatial dimensions. Three phases are present: a metallic one, for small values of $U$, where both orbitals are itinerant; a Mott insulator, for large values of $U$, where both orbitals are localized because of the Coulomb repulsion; and the so-called orbital-selective Mott insulator (OSMI), for small values of $R$ and intermediate $U$s, where one orbital is localized while the other one is still itinerant. The effect of the Hunds coupling is two-fold: on one side, it favors the full Mott phase over the OSMI; on the other side, it stabilizes the OSMI at larger values of $R$.
We study the phase diagram of the frustrated $t{-}t^prime$ Hubbard model on the square lattice by using a novel variational wave function. Taking the clue from the backflow correlations that have been introduced long-time ago by Feynman and Cohen and
have been used for describing various interacting systems on the continuum (like liquid $^3$He, the electron jellium, and metallic Hydrogen), we consider many-body correlations to construct a suitable approximation for the ground state of this correlated model on the lattice. In this way, a very accurate {it ansatz} can be achieved both at weak and strong coupling. We present the evidence that an insulating and non-magnetic phase can be stabilized at strong coupling and sufficiently large frustrating ratio $t^prime/t$.
We introduce an efficient way to improve the accuracy of projected wave functions, widely used to study the two-dimensional Hubbard model. Taking the clue from the backflow contribution, whose relevance has been emphasized for various interacting sys
tems on the continuum, we consider many-body correlations to construct a suitable approximation for the ground state at intermediate and strong couplings. In particular, we study the phase diagram of the frustrated $t{-}t^prime$ Hubbard model on the square lattice and show that, thanks to backflow correlations, an insulating and non-magnetic phase can be stabilized at strong coupling and sufficiently large frustrating ratio $t^prime/t$.
