Magnetization-induced resistance-switching effects in La0.67 Sr0.33 MnO3 / YBa2 Cu3 O7-δ bi- and trilayers

Abstract

We have studied the influence of the magnetization on the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) in bi- and trilayers consisting of the half-metallic ferromagnet La0.67 Sr0.33 MnO3 and the high-temperature superconductor YBa2 Cu3 O7-δ (YBCO). We have made use of tilted epitaxial growth in order to achieve contacts between the two materials that are partly in the crystallographic ab plane of the YBCO. As a result of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the tilted structures, we observe sharp magnetization-switching behavior. At temperatures close to Tc, the magnetization-switching induces resistance jumps in trilayers, resulting in a magnetization dependence of Tc. In bilayers, this switching effect can be observed as well, provided that the interface to the ferromagnetic layer is considerably rough. Our results indicate that the switching behavior arises from magnetic stray fields from the ferromagnetic layers that penetrate into the superconductor. A simple model describes the observed behavior well. We find no evidence that the switching behavior is caused by a so-called superconducting spin switch, nor by accumulation of spin-polarized electrons. Observation of magnetic coupling of the ferromagnetic layers, through the superconductor, supports the idea of field-induced resistance switching. © 2009 The American Physical Society.