PNNL

Abstract

The observation of conductivity at (001)-oriented interfaces of the two band insulators LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 is both fascinating and potentially useful for next-generation electronics. The reigning paradigm to explain the conductivity phenomenon is an electronic reconstruction resulting from the instability created by forming an interface of polar and nonpolar perovskites, leading to the formation of a two-dimensional electron gas. However, the complexities introduced by the strong tendency of the cations to mix across the interface also manifest themselves in the electronic structure, and this mixing gives rise to other ways for the interface to stabilize and become conductive. In this Prospective, arguments for and against these two explanations are explored and strategies for resolving the issue are suggested.