Phase Separation Enhanced Magneto-Electric Coupling in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 Ultra-thin Films

Published

December 9, 2015

Author(s)

A. Alberca, C. Munuera, Brian Kirby, N. M. Nemes, A. M. Perez-Munoz, J. Tornos, F. J. Mompean, C. Leon, J. Santamaria, M. Garcia-Hernandez

Abstract

We study the origin of the magnetoelectric coupling in manganite films on ferroelectric substrates. We find large magnetoelectric coupling in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/BaTiO₃ ultra-thin films in experiments based on the converse magnetoelectric effect. The magnetization changes by around 30-40% upon applying electric fields on the order of 1 kV/cm to the BaTiO₃ substrate, corresponding to magnetoelectric coupling constants on the order of α = (2-5)&#822610^-7^ s/m. Magnetic anisotropy is also affected by the electric field induced strain, resulting in a considerable reduction of coercive fields. We compare the magnetoelectric effect in pre-poled and unpoled BaTiO₃ substrates. Polarized neutron reflectometry reveals a two-layer behavior with a depressed magnetic layer of around 30 A at the interface. Magnetic force microscopy shows a granular magnetic structure of the La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/BaTiO₃ interface are at the origin of the large magnetoelectric coupling, which is enhanced by phase separation in the manganite. We propose a structural model based on the very large tensile strain of La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/BaTiO₃

Citation

Scientific Reports

Volume

5

Pub Type

Journals

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Citation

Alberca, A. , Munuera, C. , Kirby, B. , Nemes, N. , Perez-Munoz, A. , Tornos, J. , Mompean, F. , Leon, C. , Santamaria, J. and Garcia-Hernandez, M. (2015), Phase Separation Enhanced Magneto-Electric Coupling in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/BaTiO₃ Ultra-thin Films, Scientific Reports, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=918576 (Accessed October 16, 2025)