Zero helicity states in the $LaAlO_3/SrTiO_3$ interface

TL;DR

This paper introduces a kinetic mechanism explaining magnetic phenomena at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface, highlighting zero helicity states, charge inhomogeneities, and anisotropies, advancing understanding of interface physics.

Contribution

It proposes a novel kinetic model based on symmetry breaking to explain magnetic and torque observations at the interface, emphasizing zero helicity states and charge inhomogeneities.

Findings

Electrons are in zero helicity states.

Charge inhomogeneities cross the interface at a constant rate.

Mass and thickness anisotropies exist between the two sides.

Abstract

We propose a kinetically driven mechanism based on the breaking of the spatial reflection symmetry to describe the magnetic moment and the torque observed by Lu-Li et al. (Ref. 1) for the $LaAlO_3/SrTiO_3$ system. We find that the itinerant electrons are in a zero helicity state and predict the existence of charge inhomogeneities that cross the interface at constant rate. There is mass and thickness anisotropies between the two sides of the interface.