Dirac semimetal strontium iridate thin films with strong spin-orbit interaction for magnetic heterostructures

Abstract

The structural crystal features, electron transport and magnetotransport of the epitaxial strontium iridate (SrIrO${}_3$) and iridate/manganite SrIrO${}_3$/La${}_{0.7}$Sr${}_{0.3}$MnO${}_3$ heterostructure have been investigated. The influence of epitaxial strain relaxation caused by the lattice mismatch between SrIrO${}_3$ films and five substrates: SrTiO${}_3$, NdGaO${}_3$, (LaAlO${}_3$)${}_{0.3}$(Sr${}_2$TaAlO${}_6$)${}_{0.7}$, LaAlO${}_3$, and Pb(Mg${}_{1/3}$Nb${}_{2/3}$)O${}_3$-PbTiO${}_3$ on electron and magnetic transport has been observed. A pronounced impact of strong spin-orbit interaction on characteristics of SrIrO${}_3$ films has been revealed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetoresistance and Hall-resistance measurements at temperatures T = 2-300 K. These findings highlight the tunability of spin-orbit-driven transport phenomena in strain-controlled SrIrO${}_3$-based epitaxial systems, relevant for future spintronic oxide heterostructures. The contribution of Kondo scattering on temperature dependence of SrIrO${}_3$ films resistance was observed.

23 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables. Epitaxial SrIrO${}_3$ films and SrIrO${}_3$/La${}_{0.7}$Sr${}_{0.3}$MnO${}_3$ heterostructures on perovskite substrates showing strain-controlled spin-orbit coupling, Kondo effect, magnetoresistance and Hall measurements for oxide spintronics applications. Submitted to Journal of Alloys and Compounds