The Challenge of Spin-Orbit-Tuned Ground States in Iridates

Understand

Effects of spin-orbit interactions in condensed matter are an important and rapidly evolving topic.

• Strong competition between spin-orbit, on-site Coulomb and crystalline electric field interactions in iridates drives exotic quantum states that are unique to this group of materials.
• In particular, the Jeff = 1/2 Mott state served as an early signal that the combined effect of strong spin-orbit and Coulomb interactions in iridates has unique, intriguing consequences.
• In this Key Issues Review, we survey some current experimental studies of iridates.