The nature of electron-electron and electron-lattice interactions in metallic oxides is revised. The common wisdom is that the strong correlations among electrons determine their properties. Here we argue that the unavoidable coupling between free electrons and the lattice in ionic materials leads to the formation of polarons. These are carriers dressed by a lattice distortion that travel with them and largely determine the transport and some optical properties.
Moreover, we argue that in early transition metal oxides, the Fermi surface has a cylindrical shape that limits the phonons available for scattering. Taking SrVO3 as illustrative example of a Fermi liquids, we demonstrate that both mechanisms can contribute to the ubiquitously observed quasi-T2 temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity in many metallic oxides. A new twist on the physics of Fermi liquids in ionic lattices.
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Oxides for new-generation electronics
Electron–Phonon Coupling and Electron–Phonon Scattering in SrVO3
Mathieu Mirjolet, Francisco Rivadulla, Premysl Marsik, Vladislav Borisov, Roser Valentí, Josep Fontcuberta
