Highly Spin-Polarized Conducting State at the Interface between Nonmagnetic Band Insulators: LaAlO₃/FeS₂ (001)

Authors

John D. Burton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Physical Review Letters 107, 166601 (2011). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.166601

Comments

Copyright © 2011 American Physical Society. Used by Permission.

Abstract

First-principles density functional calculations demonstrate that a spin-polarized two-dimensional conducting state can be realized at the interface between two nonmagnetic band insulators. The (001) surface of the diamagnetic insulator FeS₂ (pyrite) supports a localized surface state deriving from Fe d orbitals near the conduction band minimum. The deposition of a few unit cells of the polar perovskite oxide LaAlO₃ leads to electron transfer into these surface bands, thereby creating a conducting interface. The occupation of these narrow bands leads to an exchange splitting between the spin subbands, yielding a highly spin-polarized conducting state distinct from the rest of the nonmagnetic, insulating bulk. Such an interface presents intriguing possibilities for spintronics applications.