Magnetic anisotropy and magnetization reversal of La0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO3 thin films on SrTiO3 (110)

Abstract

The magnetic behavior of La0.67 Sr0.33 MnO 3 (LSMO) films grown on SrTiO3 (110) substrates was studied. In-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis aligned with the [001] lattice direction was observed, together with an out-of-plane component. This is explained by the crystal structure of the films, which shows a tilt of the (001) planes. This tilt creates a long body diagonal which forces the easy axis out-of-plane and results in magnetic domain formation. The domain size is estimated at 500 nm. The switching behavior of the magnetization is well described by a two-phase model which takes both coherent rotation and domain wall motion into account. These results are of importance for the application of LSMO in tunnel magnetoresistance devices, where the (110) orientation is preferred because of the reduction in the dead layer in this direction. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.