Manipulation of magnetic exchange in iridate heterostructures

Artificial layering of disparate materials into superlattices is an emerging method that promises unparalleled versatility in accessing ground states unavailable to bulk synthesis. Heterostructures composed of paramagnetic, metallic SrIrO$_3$ interspaced with band insulating SrTiO$_3$ were found to host a canted antiferromagnetic ground state, mirroring the Ruddlesen-Popper series iridates with enhanced tunability. We investigate the magnetic excitation spectrum of these artificial systems using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering and directly infer the interlayer and intralayer magnetic exchange interactions. Understanding how interfacial effects modify magnetic interactions is a vital prerequisite for efforts to controllably target different ground states within complex oxide-heterostructures.