Interfacial reconstruction and superconductivity in cuprate–manganite multilayers of YBa2Cu3O7−δ and Pr0.68Ca0.32MnO3

Abstract

Interfacial reconstruction in multilayers of YBa _2 Cu _3 O _7− _δ and Pr _0.68 Ca _0.32 MnO _3 and its impact on superconducting properties is investigated by means of electron energy-loss spectroscopy and dc electrical transport measurements. Massive underdoping of the cuprate is found by both electron transfer from the manganite and interfacial oxygen depletion, presumably as an adaptation to compressive epitaxial stress. The decrease of the optimally doped volume becomes evident from a distinct suppression of the superconducting transition temperature. This doping effect is stronger than the impact of a competing ferromagnetic order parameter reported for similar multilayer samples with spin-polarized manganites.