Using inhomogeneous dynamical mean-field theory, we argue that the normal-metal proximity effect forces any finite number of barrier planes that are described by the (paramagnetic) Hubbard model and sandwiched between semi-infinite metallic leads to
always be a Fermi liquid at T=0. This then implies that the inhomogeneous system restores lattice periodicity at zero frequency, has a well-defined Fermi surface, and should display perfect (ballistic) conductivity or transparency. These results are, however, fragile with respect to finite frequency, V, T, disorder, or magnetism, all of which restore the expected quantum tunneling regime through a finite-width Mott insulator. Our formal results are complemented by numerical renormalization group studies on small thickness barriers that illustrate under what circumstances this behavior might be seen in real experimental systems.
We report on first principles calculations of the electronic structure of La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$/SrTiO$_{3}$ junction with two possible types of interface terminations. We find that the La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$O/TiO$_{2}$ interface preserves the i
nterlayer ferromagnetic coupling between the interface MnO$_{2}$ layer and the bulk. The other interface, MnO$_{2}$/SrO, favours antiferromagnetic coupling with the bulk. By inserting two unit cells of undoped LaMnO$_{3}$ at the interface the ferromagnetism is recovered. This is understood in terms of the doping level and the mobility of carriers near the interface.
We report on first principles Self-Interaction Corrected LSD (SIC-LSD) calculations of electronic structure of LaMnO$_{3}$ in the cubic phase. We found a strong tendency to localisation of the Mn $e_{g}$ electron and to orbital ordering. We found the
ground state to be orbitally ordered with a staggered order of $x^{2}-z^{2}$ and $y^{2}-z^{2}$ orbits in one plane and this order is repeated along the third direction. The difference in energy with a solution consisting of the ordering of $3x^{2}-r^{2}$ and $3y^{2}-r^{2}$ is, however, very small. The latter ordering is similar to the one observed both experimentally and theoretically in the real distorted system. The system is in the insulating A-type antiferromagnetic ordered state in both cases. The presence of orbital ordering means breaking of the cubic symmetry and without recourse to distortion. The latter may rather be the result of the orbital ordering but the symmetry of this ordering is determined by coupling to the lattice. The strong tendency to localisation of the $e_{g}$ electron in LaMnO$_{3}$ accounts for the survival of local distortions above the structural phase transition temperature.
The electronic and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic doped manganites are investigated by means of model tight-binding and textit{ab initio} self-interaction corrected local spin density approximation calculations. It is found that the surface alo
ne by breaking the cubic symmetry induces a difference in the occupation of the two $e_{g}$ orbitals at the surface. With textit{ab initio} calculations we found surface localisation of one orbital and hence a change in the Mn valency from four in the bulk to three at the sub-surface. Different surface or disordered interface induced localisation of the orbitals are considered too with respect to the nature and the strength of the magnetic exchange coupling between the surface/interface and the bulk-like region.
