Emergent Phases in Oxides under Strain and Heterostructures

The study of complex oxides and oxide heterostructures has been a central focus in condensed matter research for decades. These materials exhibit remarkable properties, including superconductivity, ferromagnetism, and large negative magnetoresistance, capturing significant scientific attention. Despite advances in experimental techniques, particularly in fabricating atomically thin oxide heterostructures, a comprehensive theoretical understanding of these phenomena remains elusive. One promising area of research is strain tuning in oxides. Recent developments in experimental techniques allow for the generation of biaxial and uniaxial strain, revealing new phases and behaviors in materials. These strain effects can significantly impact and control material properties, potentially advancing new device applications. However, a deeper theoretical understanding of how strain influences the electronic properties in complex oxides is still required. This project focuses on the role of electronic correlations in oxides under strain and in oxide heterostructures. The main objective is to investigate how strain affects electronic properties and phase transitions in bulk oxides, especially ruthenate oxides like BaRuO3 and SrRuO3, which are particularly sensitive to strain. These materials undergo interesting phase transitions under pressure, making them ideal candidates for studying strain-induced phenomena. Additionally, the research will explore oxide heterostructures, particularly those involving manganese, ruthenate, and titanate families. For instance, interfaces like LaMnO3/SrMnO3 exhibit unexpected magnetic behaviors, which are not well understood. This project aims to elucidate these mechanisms by developing theoretical models to predict the impact of strain on these systems. This work is highly innovative, addressing unresolved questions in the field by using novel computational techniques. It aims to propose strain-tuning strategies for oxides and predict the emergence of exotic quantum states. These findings could lead to new oxide heterostructures with enhanced properties, opening opportunities for novel materials with tailored functionalities. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the design and control of material properties, advancing technologies in quantum computing, sensors, and energy storage. By improving the theoretical understanding of strain effects, the study will guide the development of next-generation materials and devices, offering insights into the fundamental physics of complex oxides and their practical applications.