Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Orbital Fractures
Published on: May 16, 2025
Spin-Orbit Semimetal SrIrO_{3} in the Two-Dimensional Limit
D J Groenendijk1, C Autieri2, J Girovsky1
1Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5046, 2600 GA Delft, Netherlands.
Abstract:
We investigate the thickness-dependent electronic properties of ultrathin SrIrO_{3} and discover a transition from a semimetallic to a correlated insulating state below 4 unit cells. Low-temperature magnetoconductance measurements show that spin fluctuations in the semimetallic state are significantly enhanced while approaching the transition point. The electronic properties are further studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, showing that 4 unit cell SrIrO_{3} is on the verge of a gap opening. Our density functional theory calculations reproduce the critical thickness of the transition and show that the opening of a gap in ultrathin SrIrO_{3} requires antiferromagnetic order.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Orbitals
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
The Energies of Atomic Orbitals
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
Electron Orbital Model
The first shell is closest to the nucleus, and it has only one subshell with a single spherical orbital called the...
Limiting Reactant

