Structural, 1/f Noise and MOKE Characterization of Vicinal La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}MnO_3 Thin Films

• Authors: L. Méchin , P. Perna , M. Saïb , M. Belmeguenai , S. Flament , C. Barone , J. Routoure , Ch. Simon
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This paper presents some structural, magnetic and electrical properties of 40 nm and 75 nm thick La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}MnO_3 thin films deposited on vicinal SrTiO_3(001) substrates. The vicinal angles were 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10º from the [001] direction towards [110]. Standard SrTiO_3(001) substrates were used for comparison and for the growth condition optimization. Structural properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, which indicated that the LSMO films grew with their (001) axis coincident with the (001) axis of the substrate. The surface morphology was carefully studied by atomic force microscopy in tapping mode. Very smooth films and regular step-terrace structures on the La_{0.7}Sr_{0.3}MnO_3 surfaces could be observed. The root mean square roughness measured in 2μ m×2μ m images was in the 0.130-0.580 nm range for all angles and both thicknesses. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer measurements revealed a Curie temperature in the 340-350 K range and magneto-optical Kerr microscopy enabled magnetic domain imaging and hysteresis loop measurements at 300 K. A uniaxial easy magnetization direction was obtained at 300 K for angles above 4º, with the easy axis along the steps. Finally, preliminary 1/f noise measurements were performed at 300 K for bias currents along and perpendicular to the step direction, showing a noise level as low as that we typically measured on standard SrTiO_3(001) substrates. All these results are promising for the future realization of room-temperature devices making use of the anisotropy of the magnetization.

Keywords

EN

75.30.Gw; 75.47.Lx; 75.60.-d; 75.60.Jk; 75.70.Ak

Discipline

• 75.70.Ak: Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films
• 75.60.-d: Domain effects, magnetization curves, and hysteresis(for dynamics of domain structures, see 75.78.Fg)
• 75.30.Gw: Magnetic anisotropy
• 75.60.Jk: Magnetization reversal mechanisms
• 75.47.Lx: Magnetic oxides

• Publisher: Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Acta Physica Polonica A
• Year: 2007
• Volume: 111
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 63-70

Dates

published

2007-01

received

2006-09-04

Contributors

author

L. Méchin

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

author

P. Perna

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France
• University of Cassino, Dipartimento di Meccanica Strutture Ambiente e Territorio, Facoltà di Ingegneria, via G. Di Biasio, 43, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy

author

M. Saïb

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

author

M. Belmeguenai

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

author

S. Flament

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

author

C. Barone

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France
• University of Salerno, Dipartimento di Fisica "E.R. Caianiello", 84081 Baronissi (SA), Italy

author

J. Routoure

• GREYC (UMR 6072) - ENSICAEN& Univ. Caen, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

author

Ch. Simon

• CRISMAT (UMR 6508) - ENSICAEN, 6 bd Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen cedex, France

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Identifiers

DOI

10.12693/APhysPolA.111.63