Interplay of spin-orbit coupling and Coulomb interaction in ZnO-based electron system

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Spintronics

Background:

• Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is crucial for spin-dependent phenomena in solids.
• Existing studies on SOC in semiconductors primarily focus on weak electron-electron interaction regimes.
• Stronger Coulomb interactions can compete with SOC, potentially leading to novel electronic phases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the emergence of SOC in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron system (2DES) with strong electron-electron interactions.
• To investigate the interplay between SOC and electron-electron interactions by tuning carrier density.
• To explore potential spintronic applications in strong electron correlation regimes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a high-mobility MgZnO/ZnO heterostructure with a simple band structure.
• Manipulated carrier density and SOC strength by varying Mg-content.
• Studied the interplay between SOC and electron-electron interactions in the 2DES.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated the emergence of SOC in the MgZnO/ZnO 2DES, which exhibits strong electron-electron interactions.
• Tuned the SOC strength by altering the Mg-content, thereby controlling the carrier density.
• Observed a significant interplay between SOC and electron-electron interactions.

Conclusions:

• The MgZnO/ZnO system provides a platform for studying SOC under strong electron correlation conditions.
• This research opens avenues for emergent spintronic phenomena and the formation of novel quasiparticles.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering electron-electron interactions when studying SOC in semiconductor systems.