Tuning Spin Relaxations in Ultrathin Epitaxial SrIrO<sub>3</sub> Thin Films via Ferroelectric Gating

ORAL

Abstract

SrIrO3 (SIO) is paramagnetic, semimetallic and with nontrivial topological properties. Its strongly correlated nature and large spin-orbital coupling (SOC) make SIO a promising material candidate for spintronic applications. As a feature of strong SOC, weak anti-localization, manifested as negative quantum interference correction to the conductance, has been observed at low temperatures. We have extracted inelastic scattering and spin precession length, which show distinct temperature dependences. Moreover, the linear mobility dependence of spin precession time points to Elliott-Yafet mechanism as the dominant spin relaxation mechanism. By fabricating the PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (PZT)/SIO (∼2 nm) heterostructures, we have demonstrated nonvolatile resistance change in SIO via switching the polarization of PZT. The onset temperature of resistance upturn due to weak localization is also modulated by ferroelectric field effect, with a 10 K shift observed. The modulation of the magnetoresistance indicates the change of SOC strength in SIO. Our results demonstrate a feasible way to manipulating SOC at the interface of oxides heterostructures.

*This work was supported by NSF under Award No. DMR-1710461 and the Nebraska MRSEC (Grant No. DMR-1420645), and by DOE, BES, under Award No. DE-SC0016153.

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Presenters

  • Le Zhang

    • Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Authors

  • Le Zhang

    • Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

  • Myung-Geun Han

    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory

  • Xuanyuan Jiang

    • Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Xiaoshan Xu

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Yimei Zhu

    • Condensed Matter Physcis and Materials Science Departement, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven Natl Lab
    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory

  • Xia Hong

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy & Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
    • Physics, Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln