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Correlation induced emergent charge order in metallic vanadium dioxide thin films

ORAL

Abstract

Understanding the metal-insulator transition in vanadium dioxide is complicated by symmetry breaking structural transitions accompanying correlated electronic transitions. Resolving this problem though is at the heart of many scientific and technological advancements. To that end, we develop a cross-phase, symmetry-consistent approach to treat structural distortions and electronic correlations in epitaxial VO2 films from first principles. By adopting a uniform Bravais symmetry across several epitaxial growth configurations, we demonstrate the exquisite sensitivity of correlation physics to apical bond lengths in the presence of lattice symmetry breaking, and discover emergent charge order preceding the dimerized insulating phase even in the metallic rutile phase. We discuss the deep physical implications for the phase diagram of VO2, and argue for the unparalleled significance of correlation physics and sample quality in light of this result.

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Presenters

  • Wei-Cheng Lee

    Binghamton University, Physics, Binghamton University, Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Binghamton University

Authors

  • Christopher Singh

    Binghamton University, Physics, Binghamton University, Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Binghamton University

  • Louis F. J. Piper

    Binghamton University, Department of Physics, Binghamton University, Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Binghamton University

  • Hanjong Paik

    Cornell University, Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, and Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM), Cornell University, PARADIM, Cornell University, Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, & Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM), Cornell University

  • Darrell Schlom

    Cornell University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA, Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, & Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM), Cornell University

  • Wei-Cheng Lee

    Binghamton University, Physics, Binghamton University, Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Binghamton University