Two dimensional electron gas in the $$\delta$$-doped iridates with strong spin–orbit coupling: La$$_\delta$$Sr₂IrO₄

Journal Article · 30 October 2019 · Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ab2f3f · OSTI ID:1603372

Bhandari, Churna  ^[1]; Satpathy, Sashi  ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

Iridates are of significant current interest because of the strong spin–orbit coupling that leads to a variety of new phenomena. Using density-functional studies, we suggest the formation of a spin-orbital entangled two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the -doped iridate La$$_\delta$$Sr₂IrO₄, where a single SrO layer is replaced by a LaO layer. The extra La electron resides close to the$$\delta$$-doped layer, partially occupying the J_eff = 1/2 upper Hubbard band and thereby making the interface metallic. The magnetic structure of the bulk is destroyed near the interface, with the Ir₀ layer closest to the interface becoming non-magnetic, while the next layer (Ir₁) continues to maintain the AFM structure of the bulk, but with a reduced magnetic moment. The Fermi surface consists of a hole pocket and an electron pocket, located in two different Ir layers (Ir₀ and Ir₁), with both carriers derived from the J_eff = 1/2 upper Hubbard band. The presence of both electrons and holes at the $$\delta$$-doped interface suggests unusual transport properties, leading to possible device applications.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
• Grant/Contract Number: FG02-00ER45818
• OSTI ID: 1603372
• Journal Information: Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter, Vol. 31, Issue 43; ISSN 0953-8984
• Publisher: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English