Structure, strain, and control of ground state property in LaTiO$_3$/LaAlO$_3$ superlattice

Abstract: Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we examined the ground state property of LaTiO$_3$/LaAlO$_3$ superlattice. Total energy calculations, taking account of the structural distortions, $U$ dependence, and exchange correlation functional dependence, show that the spin and orbital ground state can be controlled systematically by the epitaxial strain. In the wide range of strains, ferromagnetic spin and antiferro orbital ordering are stabilized, which is notably different from the previously reported ground state in titanate systems. By applying large tensile strains, the system can be transformed into an antiferromagnetic spin and ferro-orbital-ordered phase.