Role of quantum contributions in the magnetoconductance behavior of iridate films at low temperatures

Abstract

The magnetoresistance and Hall resistance of thin epitaxial SrIrO₃ films were measured at 2 K and 10 K in magnetic fields of up to 10 T, and negative magnetoresistances of 2–4% were obtained. In order to reproduce and correctly describe the experimental data, the quantum contributions to the magnetoconductivity due to spin splitting, Coulomb interaction, and weak localization/antilocalization for 3D disordered metal systems were estimated for the first time. It was shown that the increase in the magnetoconductivity was mainly caused by weak localization, which was suppressed by the magnetic field, leading to weak anti-localization, and by the phonon-induced electron attraction.