Control of electrical transport via anisotropic magnetostriction*

Ca₃Ru₂O₇ is a correlated and spin-orbit coupled system with an extraordinary anisotropy. It is interesting largely because it exhibits conflicting phenomena that are often utterly inconsistent with traditional precedents, particularly, the quantum oscillations in the nonmetallic state and colossal magnetoresistivity achieved by avoiding a fully spin-polarized state. This work focuses on the relationship between the lattice and transport properties along each crystalline axis and reveals that application of magnetic field along different crystalline axes readily stretches or shrinks the lattice in a uniaxial manner, resulting in distinct electronic states. Furthermore, application of modest pressure drastically amplifies the anisotropic magnetoelastic effect, leading to either an occurrence of a robust metallic state at H||hard axis or a reentrance of the nonmetallic state at H||easy axis. Ca₃Ru₂O₇ presents a rare lattice-dependent magnetotransport mechanism, in which the extraordinary lattice flexibility enables an exquisite control of the electronic state, and the spin polarization plays an unconventional role unfavorable for maximizing conductivity. At the heart of the intriguing physics is the anisotropic magnetostriction that leads to exotic states.