Emergent Phenomena at Mott Interfaces – a Time- and Depth-Resolved Approach (Final Technical Report)

Abstract

This is the final technical report for Award DE-SC0019297, Emergent Phenomena at Mott Interfaces – a Time- and Depth-Resolved Approach. This research program aimed to address the scientific questions related to the emergence and control of non-equilibrium electronic phases of matter in strongly correlated Mott oxides and their interfaces. We were focusing specifically on exploiting the interfaces in heterostructures and superlattices, containing Mott oxides CaMnO 3 and LaNiO 3 because in such systems, precise control of electronic and magnetic structure in the ground state can be achieved through dimensionality, heterostructuring, interface termination, and lattice strain. We utilized advanced x-ray spectroscopic and scattering techniques, to investigate these phenomena. Additionally, we used intense THz electric-field pulses generated by a femtosecond laser to directly modify the electronic structure and magnetic states of the ultrathin LaNiO 3 and CaMnO 3 layers in such heterostructures, with the objectives of disentangling, understanding, and harnessing control over the intricate competing interactions responsible for two-dimensional magnetism and metal-insulator transition at the interfaces.