Large isosymmetric reorientation of oxygen octahedra rotation axes in   epitaxially strained perovskites
  Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we discover an anomalously large bi-axial strain-induced octahedral rotation axis reorientation in orthorhombic perovskites with tendency towards rhombohedral symmetry. The transition between crystallographically equivalent (isosymmetric) structures with different octahedral rotation magnitudes originates from strong strain--octahedral rotation coupling available to perovskites and the energetic hierarchy among competing octahedral tilt patterns. By elucidating these criteria, we suggest many functional perovskites would exhibit the transition in thin film form, thus offering a new landscape in which to tailor highly anisotropic electronic responses. 
James M. Rondinelli and Sinisa Coh
cond-mat.mtrl-sci