Influence of Thickness on the Magnetic and Magnetotransport Properties of Epitaxial La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 Films Deposited on STO (0 0 1).

Epitaxial La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 films with different thicknesses (9-90 nm) were deposited on SrTiO 3 (0 0 1) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The films have been investigated with respect to morpho-structural, magnetic, and magneto-transport properties, which have been proven to be thickness dependent. Magnetic contributions with different switching mechanisms were evidenced, depending on the perovskite film thickness. The Curie temperature increases with the film thickness. In addition, colossal magnetoresistance effects of up to 29% above room temperature were evidenced and discussed in respect to the magnetic behavior and film thickness.