Induced magnetization in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 superlattices
Surendra Singh1, J T Haraldsen2, J Xiong3
1Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA and Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai 400085, India.
Physical Review Letters
|August 9, 2014
Summary
We observed induced magnetization in BiFeO(3) (BFO) layers of a La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) (LSMO)/BFO superlattice. Density functional theory explains this phenomenon, crucial for understanding complex magnetic heterostructures.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) (LSMO) is a well-known ferromagnetic material.
- BiFeO(3) (BFO) is a multiferroic material with potential for novel electronic applications.
- Heterostructures combining these materials are of interest for exploring emergent magnetic phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnetic coupling and induced magnetization at the interface of LSMO/BFO superlattices.
- To understand the mechanism behind magnetization transfer from LSMO to BFO layers.
- To provide a theoretical framework for experimental observations.
Main Methods:
- Polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) was used to experimentally probe the magnetic structure.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to model the electronic and magnetic properties.
- Classical exchange field models were used to interpret the experimental findings.
Main Results:
- An induced magnetization of 75 ± 25 kA/m at 10 K was observed in BFO layers adjacent to LSMO.
- The induced magnetization was found to extend several atomic layers into the BFO.
- DFT calculations highlighted the role of the BFO band gap in mediating the induced magnetization.
Conclusions:
- The experimental and theoretical results confirm significant interfacial magnetic coupling in LSMO/BFO superlattices.
- The band gap of BFO is a critical factor influencing the induced magnetization.
- Magnetization is expected to extend throughout the BFO layer due to exchange interactions, consistent with PNR data.
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