Phase separation enhanced magneto-electric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films
A Alberca1, C Munuera1,2, J Azpeitia1,2
1Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 3, ES-28049 Madrid, Spain.
Scientific Reports
|December 10, 2015
Summary
We investigated magnetoelectric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 films. Large coupling was observed due to magnetic granularity and magnetoelastic effects at the interface, enhanced by phase separation.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Multiferroics
Background:
- Magnetoelectric coupling enables control of magnetic properties with electric fields.
- Manganite films on ferroelectric substrates are promising for multiferroic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin of large magnetoelectric coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 ultra-thin films.
- To understand the role of interface effects and material microstructure on magnetoelectric properties.
Main Methods:
- Experiments utilizing the converse magnetoelectric effect.
- Polarized neutron reflectometry to probe interfacial magnetic structure.
- Magnetic force microscopy to analyze magnetic granularity.
Main Results:
- Large magnetoelectric coupling (α = (2-5)·10⁻⁷ s/m) observed in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 films.
- Electric fields induced significant magnetization changes (30-40%) and reduced coercive fields.
- Polarized neutron reflectometry revealed a depressed magnetic interface layer (~30 Å).
- Magnetic force microscopy showed a granular magnetic structure in the La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 film.
Conclusions:
- The large magnetoelectric coupling originates from the magnetic granularity of the manganite film and robust magnetoelastic coupling at the interface.
- Phase separation within the manganite further enhances the observed magnetoelectric effect.
- The findings provide insights into designing advanced magnetoelectric devices.
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