First-principles calculations predict the existence of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the LaO/EuO interface in a LaAlO3/EuO (001) heterostructure. This polar interface favors electron doping into the Eu-5d conduction bands resulting in a 2DEG formed at the interface. Due to the exchange splitting of the Eu-5d states the 2DEG is spin-polarized below the Curie temperature of EuO. The predicted mechanism for the formation of a spinpolarized 2DEG at the interface between polar and ferromagnetic insulators may provide a robust magnetism of the 2DEG which is interesting for spintronics applications.
@article{arxiv.0903.4874,
title = {Prediction of a spin-polarized two-dimensional electron gas at the LaAlO3/EuO(001) interface},
author = {Yong Wang and Manish K. Niranjan and J. D. Burton and Joonhee M. An and Kirill D. Belashchenko and Evgeny Y. Tsymbal},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0903.4874},
year = {2009}
}