Tailoring spin-orbit Mott insulators via designed superlattices

The layered perovskite iridates Sr$_{n+1}$Ir$_{n}$O$_{3n+1}$ show a transition from a magnetic insulating to a semi-metallic state as the number of layers $n$ is increased. This behaviour is intimately related to the interplay between spin-orbit coupling, electronic correlations and dimensionality. In this talk, we will show that the fabricated superlattices [(SrIrO$_3$)/SrTiO$_3$], provide new insight into this behaviour. Theoretical calculations using density functional and tight binding approaches will be presented to support our results.