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arXiv · 1706.09694

Dimensionality-driven metal-insulator-transition in spin-orbit coupled SrIrO$_3$

P. Schütz·D. Di Sante·L. Dudy·J. Gabel·M. Stübinger·M. Kamp·Y. Huang·M. Capone·M. -A. Husanu·V. Strocov·G. Sangiovanni·M. Sing·R. Claessen
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Abstract

Upon reduction of the film thickness we observe a metal-insulator transition in epitaxially stabilized, spin-orbit coupled SrIrO$_3$ ultrathin films. By comparison of the experimental electronic dispersions with density functional theory at various levels of complexity we identify the leading microscopic mechanisms, i.e., a dimensionality-induced re-adjustment of octahedral rotations, magnetism, and electronic correlations. The astonishing resemblance of the band structure in the two-dimensional limit to that of bulk Sr$_2$IrO$_4$ opens new avenues to unconventional superconductivity by "clean" electron doping through electric field gating.

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P. Schütz, D. Di Sante, L. Dudy, J. Gabel, M. Stübinger, M. Kamp, Y. Huang, M. Capone, M. -A. Husanu, V. Strocov, G. Sangiovanni, M. Sing, R. Claessen. 2017-06-29. Dimensionality-driven metal-insulator-transition in spin-orbit coupled SrIrO$_3$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.119.256404

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