Magnetic properties and electronic structures of (YTiO3)2/(BaTiO3)n superlattices

The magnetic properties and electronic structures of (YTiO3)(2)/(BaTiO3)(n) superlattices are investigated using the first-principles calculations. It is revealed that the in-plane compressive strain results in the A-type antiferromagnetic order in the YTiO3 component. Surprisingly, the Ti ions in BaTiO3 layers exhibit a weak ferromagnetic order for n = 4. The ferromagnetism in the BaTiO3 layers near the interface is related to the polar discontinuity of YTiO3 and ferroelectric polarization of BaTiO3. The electronic structures indicate that the n = 4 superlattice shows the two-dimensional electron gas at the interface. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.