Enhanced spin-orbit interaction and Kondo scattering in $δ$-doped LaTiO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interfaces

Abstract

We present a study of delta ($δ$) doping at LaTiO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ (LTO/STO) interface with iso-structural antiferromagnetic perovskite LaCrO$_3$ (LCO) that dramatically alters the properties of the two dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) at the interface. The effects include a reduction in sheet-carrier density, prominence of the low temperature resistivity minimum, enhancement of weak antilocalization below 10 K and observation of a strong anisotropic magnetoresistance (MR). The positive and negative MR for out-of-plane and in-plane field respectively and the field and temperature dependencies of MR suggest Kondo scattering by localized Ti$^{3+}$ moments renormalized by spin-orbit interaction at T $<$ 10 K, with the increased $δ$-layer thickness. Electron energy loss spectroscopy and density functional calculations provide convincing evidence for blocking of electron transfer from LTO to STO by the $δ$-layer.

6 pages, 4 figures, To be appear in Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Communication)