Termination control of electronic phases in oxide thin films and interfaces: LaAlO3/SrTiO3(001)

Abstract

A wealth of intriguing properties emerge in the seemingly simple system composed of the band insulators LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 such as a two-dimensional electron gas, superconductivity and magnetism. In this paper we review the current insight obtained from first principles calculations on the mechanisms governing the behavior of thin LaAlO3 films on SrTiO3(001). In particular, we explore the strong dependence of the electronic properties on the surface and interface termination, the finite film thickness, lattice polarization and defects. A further aspect that is addressed is how the electronic behavior and functionality can be tuned by a SrTiO3 capping layer, adsorbates and metallic contacts. Lastly, we discuss recent reports on the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in this system for what they might imply about the electronic structure of this system.

One contribution of 10 to a Discussion Meeting Issue "The new science of oxide interfaces"

References in corpus (9)

• Magnetic effects at the interface between nonmagnetic oxides
• Electric Field Control of the LaAlO${}_3$/SrTiO${}_3$ Interface Ground State
• Avoiding the polarization catastrophe in LaAlO3 overlayers on SrTiO3(001) through a polar distortion
• Surface defects and conduction in polar oxide heterostructures
• Polarity-induced oxygen vacancies at LaAlO3|SrTiO3 interfaces
• Electronic structure induced reconstruction and magnetic ordering at the LaAlO${}_3|$SrTiO${}_3$ interface
• Fundamental asymmetry in interfacial electronic reconstruction between insulating oxides
• Properties of Ferromagnetic Superconductors
• Diodes with Breakdown Voltages Enhanced by the Metal-Insulator Transition of LaAlO${}_3$-SrTiO${}_3$ Interfaces

Cited by in corpus (9)

• Origin of two-dimensional electron gases at oxide interfaces: insights from theory
• Massive symmetry breaking in LaAlO${}_3$/SrTiO${}_3$(111) quantum wells: a three-orbital, strongly correlated generalization of graphene
• Coupling charge and topological reconstructions at polar oxide interfaces
• High-Mobility Two-Dimensional Electron Gases at Oxide Interfaces: Origins and Opportunities
• Two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in a LaAlO3/LaNiO3/LaAlO3 quantum well
• Direct Observation and Control of Surface Termination in Perovskite Oxide Heterostructures
• Formation of a conducting LaAlO${}_3$ / SrTiO${}_3$ interface studied by low energy electron reflection during growth
• In situ Monitoring of Composition and Sensitivity to Growth Parameters of Pulsed Laser Deposition
• Coupling between tilts and charge carriers at polar-nonpolar perovskite interfaces