Ruddlesden-Popper interface in correlated manganite heterostructures induces magnetic decoupling and dead layer reduction

We report on theinterface engineering in correlated manganiteheterostructures by octahedral decoupling using embedded stacks of atomic layers that form the Ruddlesden-Popperstructure. A room temperature magnetic decoupling was achieved through deposition of a (SrO)2–TiO2–(SrO)2 sequence of atomic layers at theinterface between La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Ru0.1O3films. Moreover, the narrowing of the interfacial dead layer in ultrathin La0.7Sr0.3MnO3films was demonstrated by insertion of a single (SrO)2 rock-salt layer at theinterface with the SrTiO3(100) substrate. The obtained results are discussed based on the symmetry breaking and disconnection of the MnO6 octahedra network at theinterface that may lead to the improved performance of all-oxidemagnetic tunnel junctions. We suggest that octahedral decoupling realized by formation of Ruddlesden-Popperinterfaces is an effectivestructural mechanism to control functionalities of correlatedperovskiteheterostructures.

Source: Applied Physics Letters - December 6, 2016 Category: Physics Authors: A. Belenchuk, O. Shapoval, V. Roddatis, V. Bruchmann-Bamberg, K. Samwer and V. Moshnyaga Source Type: research