Control of the magnetic and magnetotransport properties of La0.67 Sr0.33 Mn O3 thin films through epitaxial strain

Abstract

The influence of epitaxial strain, in the form of tetragonal distortions, on the magnetic and magnetotransport properties of La0.67 Sr0.33 Mn O3 thin films was studied. The tetragonal distortion (ca ratio) was modulated through the choice of the substrate, ranging from ca=1.007 on (001)-oriented (LaAl O3)0.3 (Sr2 AlTa O6)0.7 substrates to 0.952 on (110)-oriented GdSc O3 substrates. In agreement with previous theoretical predictions, these large values of tensile strain cause the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization to decrease, alter the temperature dependence of the resistivity and magnetoresistance, and increase the resistivity by several orders of magnitude. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.