Friday, 21 October 2011, 12:00 PM
SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 Oxide Interfaces: Superconductivity without Reflection
Prof. Daniel Agterberg, UW-Milwaukee, Physics
SrTiO3 and LaAlO3are two band insulators. In 2004, the interface between these materials was found to be a two-dimensional gas. This electron gas was found to be superconducting in 2008. An important issue in these oxides is the lack of mirror reflection symmetry (reflection) through the interface: these interfaces break parity symmetry.
In this talk, after a discussion on the role of symmetry on superconductivity, I will contrast the physics of superconductivity with and without parity symmetry. A central role is played by a generalization of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction, an interaction well known in the field of spintronics and topological insulators. In superconductors, this interaction gives rise to counter intuitive results and generates new superconducting phases. The consequences on the newly discovered interface superconductors will be elucidated.