Multiorbital structure of the two-dimensional electron gas in LaAlO_(3)/SrTiO_(3) heterostructures: the formation of a d(xy) ferromagnetic sheet

We demonstrate the formation of a ferromagnetic two-dimensional d_(x)y electron sheet strictly confined to the TiO_(2) interface layer in LaAlO_(3)/SrTiO_(3) heterostructures. Based on first-principles density functional calculations we show that the complex subband structure of the two-dimensional...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Li, Jichao C., Beltrán Fínez, Juan Ignacio, Muñoz, M. Carmen
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/34782
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/34782
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:537
Interface
Superconductivity
Coexistence
Oxides.
Electricidad
Electrónica (Física)
2202.03 Electricidad
Descripción
Sumario:We demonstrate the formation of a ferromagnetic two-dimensional d_(x)y electron sheet strictly confined to the TiO_(2) interface layer in LaAlO_(3)/SrTiO_(3) heterostructures. Based on first-principles density functional calculations we show that the complex subband structure of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) generated at the LaO/TiO_(2) (001) interface is universal, and almost independent of the SrTiO_(3) thickness. It is composed of a ladder of d_(x)y states of light electrons and only one degenerate d_(xz,yz) heavier subband. All the states are spin polarized although the exchange splitting is only significant for the lowest energy d_(xy) subband, which leads to magnetic moments ferromagnetically coupled and localized at the interface. The SrTiO_(3) ferroelectric-like lattice distortions determine the subband occupation and therefore their orbital character, exchange splitting, and charge density profile. The complex structure of the 2DEG can explain the coexistence in the same sample of superconductivity and magnetism.