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Interface-induced magnetic polar metal phase in complex oxides

Journal Article · · Nature Communications
Abstract

Polar metals are commonly defined as metals with polar structural distortions. Strict symmetry restrictions make them an extremely rare breed as the structural constraints favor insulating over metallic phase. Moreover, no polar metals are known to be magnetic. Here we report on the realization of a magnetic polar metal phase in a BaTiO 3 /SrRuO 3 /BaTiO 3 heterostructure. Electron microscopy reveals polar lattice distortions in three-unit-cells thick SrRuO 3 between BaTiO 3 layers. Electrical transport and magnetization measurements reveal that this heterostructure possesses a metallic phase with high conductivity and ferromagnetic ordering with high saturation moment. The high conductivity in the SrRuO 3 layer can be attributed to the effect of electrostatic carrier accumulation induced by the BaTiO 3 layers. Density-functional-theory calculations provide insights into the origin of the observed properties of the thin SrRuO 3 film. The present results pave a way to design materials with desired functionalities at oxide interfaces.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States); Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-98CH10886; FG02-09ER46554; SC0002136; SC0012704
OSTI ID:
1619598
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1580240
OSTI ID: 1598150
Report Number(s):
BNL--212470-2019-JAAM; 5248; PII: 13270
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 10; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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