Quantum Wells in Polar-Nonpolar Oxide Heterojunction Systems

We address the electronic structure of quantum wells in polar-nonpolar oxide heterojunction systems focusing on the case of non-polar BaVO$_3$ wells surrounded by polar LaTiO$_3$ barriers. Our discussion is based on a density functional description using the local spin density approximation with local correlation corrections (LSDA+U). We conclude that a variety of quite different two-dimensional electron systems can occur at interfaces between insulating materials depending on band line-ups and on the geometrical arrangement of polarity discontinuities.