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Multilayer (TiO$_2$)$_m$/(VO$_2$)$_n$ nanostructures ($d^1$ - $d^0$interfaces with no polar discontinuity) show a metal-insulator transition withrespect to the VO$_2$ layer thickness in first principles calculations. For $n$$\geq$ 5 layers, the system becomes metallic, while being insulating for $n$ =1 and 2. The metal-insulator transition occurs through a semi-Dirac point phasefor $n$ = 3 and 4, in which the Fermi surface is point-like and the electronsbehave as massless along the zone diagonal in k-space and as massive fermionsalong the perpendicular direction. We provide an analysis of the evolution ofthe electronic structure through this unprecedented insulator-to-metaltransition, and identify it as resulting from quantum confinement producing anon-intuitive orbital ordering on the V $d^1$ ions, rather than being aspecific oxide interface effect. Spin-orbit coupling does not destroy thesemi-Dirac point for the calculated ground state, where the spins are alignedalong the rutile c-axis, but it does open a substantial gap if the spins lie inthe basal plane.

Metal-insulator transition through a semi-Dirac point in oxide nanostructures: VO$_2$ (001) layers confined within TiO$_2$