Mapping Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions to inversion asymmetry in perovskite oxide heterostructures

TL;DR

This study uses density functional theory to map how inversion asymmetry in perovskite oxide heterostructures influences Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions, aiding the design of spintronic devices.

Contribution

It demonstrates the relation between structural inversion asymmetry and specific spin-orbit interactions in perovskite heterostructures through detailed simulations.

Findings

Distorted bond lengths and angles induce Rashba effects.

Tilted IrO6 octahedra lead to bulk inversion asymmetry and combined interactions.

Comparison of spin textures clarifies the nature of spin-orbit interactions.

Abstract

Inversion asymmetry, combined with spin-orbit interaction, leads to Rashba or Dresselhaus effects, or combinations of them that are promising for technologies based on antiferromagnetic spintronics. Since understanding the exact nature of spin-orbit interaction is crucial for developing a technology based on it, mapping the nature of inversion asymmetry with the type of spin-orbit interaction becomes the key. We simulate a perovskite oxide heterostructure LaAlO$_3|$SrIrO$_3|$SrTiO$_3$ preserving the inversion symmetry within density functional theory to demonstrate the relation between the nature of inversion asymmetry and the corresponding Rashba or Dresselhaus-type interaction. With progressive distortion in the heterostructure, we find how the structure inversion asymmetry sets in with distorted bond lengths and bond angles, leading to Rashba effect in the system. Further, introduction of tilted IrO$_6$ octahedra leads to bulk inversion asymmetry, helping a combined Rashba-Dresselhaus interaction to set in. A comparison of the spin textures obtained from our DFT calculations and theoretical modeling helps us identify the exact nature of the interactions. Besides demonstrating the connection between the nature of asymmetry with Rashba and Dresselhaus interactions, our work may serve as a guide to identifying different types of Rashba-like spin-orbit interactions.