When spin-orbit coupling meets local lattice distortions in Mott-like insulator iridates: The case of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{IrO}}_{4}$

Author(s): A. Zafar, M. Jakhar, AM Milinda Abeykoon, and V. Petkov Total x-ray scattering, structural modeling, and density functional theory calculations are used to investigate the relationship between local lattice distortions and the electronic structure of the spin-orbit-coupled Mott-like insulator Sr 2 IrO 4 . Local lattice distortions, arising from the presence of two distinct IrO 6 octahedral layers without a reduction of the average crystal symmetry, are identified, and their temperature evolution is shown to be consistent with the observed enhancement of the electronic band gap. [Phys. Rev. Research 8, L032024] Published Wed Aug 12, 2026