Unidirectional spin density wave state in metallic (Sr1-xLax)2IrO4

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Chen, Xiang; Schmehr, Julian L.; Islam, Zahirul; Porter, Zach; Zoghlin, Eli; Finkelstein, Kenneth; Ruff, Jacob P. C.; Wilson, Stephen D.

Source:

Nature Communications, Volume 9, p.103 (2018)

URL:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02647-1

Abstract:

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Materials that exhibit both strong spinâEUR"orbit coupling and electron correlation effects are predicted to host numerous new electronic states. One prominent example is the JeffâEUR%0=âEUR%01/2 Mott state in Sr2IrO4, where introducing carriers is predicted to manifest high temperature superconductivity analogous to the SâEUR%0=âEUR%01/2 Mott state of La2CuO4. While bulk superconductivity currently remains elusive, anomalous quasiparticle behaviors paralleling those in the cuprates such as pseudogap formation and the formation of a d-wave gap are observed upon electron-doping Sr2IrO4. Here we establish a magnetic parallel between electron-doped Sr2IrO4 and hole-doped La2CuO4 by unveiling a spin density wave state in electron-doped Sr2IrO4. Our magnetic resonant X-ray scattering data reveal the presence of an incommensurate magnetic state reminiscent of the diagonal spin density wave state observed in the monolayer cuprate (La1â^'xSr x )2CuO4. This link supports the conjecture that the quenched Mott phases in electron-doped Sr2IrO4 and hole-doped La2CuO4 support common competing electronic phases.
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