Magnetic and transport signatures of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model in two dimensions

TL;DR

This study investigates how Rashba spin-orbit coupling influences magnetic and transport properties in a two-dimensional ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model, revealing suppression of ferromagnetism and conductivity, and modifications near half-filling.

Contribution

It provides a detailed numerical analysis of the effects of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on magnetic phases and transport in the FKLM, highlighting the interplay with phase separation.

Findings

Rashba SOC destroys ferromagnetic order at low fillings.

Rashba SOC suppresses conductivity in the system.

Near half-filling, Rashba SOC reduces phase separation tendencies.

Abstract

Motivated by emergent phenomena at oxide surfaces and interfaces, particularly those involving transition metal oxides with perovskite crystal structure such as LaTiO3/SrTiO3, we examine the ferromagnetic Kondo lattice model (FKLM) in the presence of a Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC). Using numerical techniques, under the assumption that the electrons on localized orbitals may be treated as classical continuum spins, we compute various charge, spin and transport properties on square clusters at zero temperature. We find that the main effect of the RSOC is the destruction of the ferromagnetic state present in the FKLM at low electron fillings, with the consequent suppression of conductivity. In addition, near half-filling the RSOC leads to a departure of the antiferromagnetic state of the FKLM with a consequent reduction to the intrinsic tendency to electronic phase separation. The interplay between phase separation on one side, and magnetic and transport properties on the other, is carefully analyzed as a function of the RSOC/hopping ratio.