  We theoretically investigate emergent quantum phases in the thin film
geometries of the pyrochore iridates, where a number of exotic quantum ground
states are proposed to occur in bulk materials as a result of the interplay
between electron correlation and strong spin-orbit coupling. The fate of these
bulk phases as well as novel quantum states that may arise only in the thin
film platforms, are studied via a theoretical model that allows layer-dependent
magnetic structures. It is found that the magnetic order develop in
inhomogeneous fashions in the thin film geometries. This leads to a variety of
magnetic metal phases with modulated magnetic ordering patterns across
different layers. Both the bulk and boundary electronic states in these phases
conspire to promote unusual electronic properties. In particular, such phases
are akin to the Weyl semimetal phase in the bulk system and they would exhibit
an unusually large anomalous Hall effect.
