Symmetry Mismatch Controls Magnetism in a Ferroelastic Film
Scientific Achievement
The magnetization depth profile of LaCoO3 (LCO) films shows that pressure reduces the magnetization, confirming that a symmetry mismatch at the interface leads to the unexpected ferromagnetism (FM).
Significance and Impact
The results give new insights into the control of magnetism in thin films of ferroelastic materials, pointing to next generation devices such as strain sensors.
Research Details
- Polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) was measured using a new pressure cell.
- The origin of FM was found to be higher spin state Co3+ in low density regions away from the mismatched interface; pressure increases the density producing non-magnetic low spin Co3+.
"Exploiting Symmetry Mismatch to Control Magnetism in a Ferroelastic Heterostructure,"
Er-Jia Guo, Ryan Desautels, Dongkyu Lee, Manuel A. Roldan, Zhaoliang Liao, Timothy Charlton, Haile Ambaye, Jamie Molaison, Reinhard Boehler, David Keavney, Andreas Herklotz, T. Zac Ward, Ho Nyung Lee, and Michael R. Fitzsimmons
Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 187202 – Published 8 May 2019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.187202
