APL Materials (Jun 2015)

Crystalline symmetry controlled magnetic switching in epitaxial (111) La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films

  • I. Hallsteinsen,
  • E. Folven,
  • F. K. Olsen,
  • R. V. Chopdekar,
  • M. S. Rzchowski,
  • C. B. Eom,
  • J. K. Grepstad,
  • T. Tybell

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4907877
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 6
pp. 062501 – 062501-7

Abstract

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Mixed-valence manganite thin films are attractive for spintronic devices. Crystalline orientation is a promising route to tailor switching mechanisms, as magnetization reversal depends on the magnetic anisotropy. Here, magnetic properties of (111)-oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films are elucidated by correlating macroscopic and local properties. The coercive field is an order of magnitude lower than (001)-oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3. Locally, a 6-fold magnetic anisotropy is observed, while macroscopically, an isotropic response is prevailing. This local coupling between the symmetry of the (111)-facet and magnetization governs the domain reversal process, demonstrating that symmetry offers a route to control magnetic properties for spintronic devices.