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Electrical Control Of Structural And Physical Properties Via Strong Spin-Orbit Interactions In Sr2Iro4, Gang Cao, Jasminka Terzic, H. D. Zhao, H. Zheng, Lance E. De Long, Peter S. Riseborough

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Electrical control of structural and physical properties is a long-sought, but elusive goal of contemporary science and technology. We demonstrate that a combination of strong spin-orbit interactions (SOI) and a canted antiferromagnetic Mott state is sufficient to attain that goal. The antiferromagnetic insulator Sr₂IrO₄ provides a model system in which strong SOI lock canted Ir magnetic moments to IrO₆ octahedra, causing them to rigidly rotate together. A novel coupling between an applied electrical current and the canting angle reduces the Néel temperature and drives a large, nonlinear lattice expansion that closely tracks the magnetization, increases the …