Enhanced Rashba Spin Orbit Coupling and Magnetic Behavior at Oxide Heterointerfaces by Optical Gating.

Complex oxide heterointerfaces have been a hot research spot due to their rich physical phenomena and broad quantum coherence that respond to multiple external stimuli. Among these external stimuli, light is a very powerful one to manipulate properties such as carrier density and spin characteristics. However, achieving a light-magnetic correlation is in high demand for multifield responding devices, and its intrinsic mechanism remains unclear. Here, by illuminating Nd0.86 Sr0.14 Al0.86 Ni0.14 O3 -SrTiO3 heterointerfaces using 360 nm light, we observe a series of interesting physical phenomena, like enhanced magnetoresistance ( MR ). More interestingly, a band splitting and strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling ( SOC ) effect occur after illumination, accompanied by a magnetic feature and thus leading to an anomalous Hall effect ( AHE ). Upon optical gating, the magnetism can be caused by Rashba SOC induced spin-orbit torque ( SOT ). The work will be sure to have great importance in both theoretical studies and all-oxide devices.