Ab initio investigation of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas at the BaTiO3/LaMnO3 interface

TL;DR

This study uses ab initio calculations to explore switchable spin-polarized 2DEG at BaTiO3/LaMnO3 interfaces, revealing localized conduction mainly within MnO layers and tunable electronic states via ferroelectric polarization reversal.

Contribution

It demonstrates the possibility of a switchable, spin-polarized 2DEG at the interface of antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric perovskites, with localization and electronic properties controllable by polarization.

Findings

2DEG arises mainly within MnO interfacial layer

Fermi-level density of states can be tuned by polarization reversal

Conducting and magnetic states coexist mainly from Mn atoms

Abstract

By means of ab initio calculations the possibilities of switchable spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the interface of antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric perovskites, i.e., LaMnO3/BaTiO3 superlattice, were investigated. We demonstrate that at the heterostructure with TiO2/LaO interfacial layers the two-dimensional conducting state arises mainly localized within the interfacial MnO layer. The density of states at the Fermi-level can be tuned by ferroelectric polarization reversal. The conducting state coexists with magnetic one mainly arose from Mn atoms.