Structural and magnetic anisotropy in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$/La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$ bilayer on SrTiO$_3$ substrate

Abstract

We study the magnetic properties and emergence of superconductivity in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ (YBCO)/ La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$ (LSMO) heterostructures. Bilayer films of superconducting layer, YBCO, and ferromagnetic layer, LSMO were grown on SrTiO$_{3}$ (STO) (001) substrate using ultrahigh vacuum Pulsed Laser Deposition system. Magnetization data at 100 K as a function of applied magnetic field shows ferromagnetic behaviour due to the LSMO layer. Cooling below 100 K leads to superconductivity in this material; the onset of superconductivity occurs at a temperature, $T_{c,SC},$ of 86 K for $H_{ext}\perp c$ (in-plane) \& 84 K for $H_{ext}||c$ (out-of-plane) under 100 Oe applied field. In-plane magnetic measurements show significant suppression of diamagnetic behaviour as compared to the out-of-plane measurements. The susceptibility signals are higher for out-of-plane direction. Such strong anisotropy in magnetism and the transition temperatures reveal complex interplay of magnetism and superconductivity in this system and calls for further study in this direction.