Aperiodic quantum oscillations in the two-dimensional electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface

Abstract

Despite several attempts, the intimate electronic structure of two-dimensional electron systems buried at the interface between LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 still remains to be experimentally revealed. Here, we investigate the transport properties of a high-mobility quasi-two-dimensional electron gas at this interface under high magnetic field (55 T) and provide new insights for electronic band structure by analyzing the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations. Interestingly, the quantum oscillations are not 1∕B-periodic and produce a highly non-linear Landau plot (Landau level index versus 1/B). We explore different scenarios leading to 1/B-aperiodic oscillations where the charge and the chemical potential vary as the magnetic field increases. Overall, the magneto-transport data are discussed in light of high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) analysis of the interface as well as calculations from density functional theory.