Strain-engineering Mott-insulating La2CuO4
1Physik-Institut, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland. oleh.ivashko@physik.uzh.ch.
Nature Communications
|February 21, 2019
Summary
Optimizing substrate conditions enhances superconductivity in cuprates. Compressive strain boosts Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interactions in lanthanum copper oxide (La2CuO4) thin films, leading to higher transition temperatures (Tc).
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Unconventional superconductivity's transition temperature (Tc) is tunable.
- Optimal substrates vary for different materials, e.g., FeSe and La2-xSrxCuO4.
- Understanding microscopic parameters for tuning Tc in thin films is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate optimal conditions for superconductivity in thin films.
- Identify microscopic parameters driving changes in Tc.
- Determine methods for tuning Tc.
Main Methods:
- X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).
- Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS).
- Theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- Compressive strain enhances Coulomb and magnetic-exchange interactions in La2CuO4 thin films.
- Optimal substrates increase Tc by enhancing nearest-neighbor hopping, Coulomb, and magnetic-exchange interactions.
- Strong correlation between substrate, parent Mott state, and Tc.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing the parent Mott state is a viable strategy for enhancing superconducting transition temperatures in cuprates.
- Substrate-induced strain is a key factor in tuning superconductivity.
- The findings provide a pathway for designing high-Tc superconducting materials.
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