Charge localization or itineracy at LaAl O3 SrTi O3 interfaces: Hole polarons, oxygen vacancies, and mobile electrons

Pentcheva, Rossitza and Pickett, Warren E. (2006): Charge localization or itineracy at LaAl O3 SrTi O3 interfaces: Hole polarons, oxygen vacancies, and mobile electrons. In: Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 74, No. 3

Abstract

While correlated electron behavior is to be expected at oxide interfaces (IFs) involving Mott insulators, we show how strong correlations in the oxygen 2p states may be necessary to account for observed insulating behavior at charged (001)-IFs between the band insulators LaAl O3 and SrTi O3. Using correlated band theory applied to the O 2p states, an insulating p -type IF is obtained only when a disproportionated, charge-, orbital-, and spin-ordered O Pπ magnetic hole is formed, centered between Al3+ ions in the Al O2 layer at the IF. As an alternative explanation, charge compensation by oxygen vacancies that accommodate the holes as charge-conjugate F centers is modeled. For the n -type IF, a charge disproportionated Ti4+ + Ti3+ layer is obtained with ferromagnetic alignment of the spins resulting from occupied dxy orbitals at checkerboard arranged Ti3+ sites. Electron hopping on a 50\% occupied Ti sublattice (a quarter-filled band) and/or lattice relaxations are discussed as origin of the measured conductivity.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Crystallography and Materials Science
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics; 500 Science > 540 Chemistry; 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• Language: English