Electron–Phonon Coupling and Electron–Phonon Scattering in SrVO3

M. Mirjolet, F. Rivadulla, P. Marsik, V. Borisov, R. Valentí, J. Fontcuberta,

J. Adv. Sci. 2021, 2004207. https://doi.org/;      DOI:doi.org/10.1002/advs.202004207

• 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 SrVO3as illustrative example of a Fermi liquids, we demonstrate that both mechanisms can contribute to the ubiquitously observed quasi-T2temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity in many metallic oxides.
• A new twist on the physics of Fermi liquids in ionic lattices.