Exotic Magnetic Anisotropy Near Digitized Dimensional Mott Boundary

Small. 2023 Oct;19(41):e2303176. doi: 10.1002/smll.202303176. Epub 2023 Jun 13.

Abstract

The magnetic anisotropy of low-dimensional Mott systems exhibits unexpected magnetotransport behavior useful for spin-based quantum electronics. Yet, the anisotropy of natural materials is inherently determined by the crystal structure, highly limiting its engineering. The magnetic anisotropy modulation near a digitized dimensional Mott boundary in artificial superlattices composed of a correlated magnetic monolayer SrRuO3 and nonmagnetic SrTiO3 , is demonstrated. The magnetic anisotropy is initially engineered by modulating the interlayer coupling strength between the magnetic monolayers. Interestingly, when the interlayer coupling strength is maximized, a nearly degenerate state is realized, in which the anisotropic magnetotransport is strongly influenced by both the thermal and magnetic energy scales. The results offer a new digitized control for magnetic anisotropy in low-dimensional Mott systems, inspiring promising integration of Mottronics and spintronics.

Keywords: Mott transition; SrRuO3; atomic-scale epitaxy; low-dimensional magnetism; magnetic anisotropy engineering; oxide superlattice.