Reversible strain effect on the magnetization of LaCoO3 films

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that applying reversible tensile strain to LaCoO3 films systematically alters their magnetization and Curie temperature, revealing strain-dependent magnetic properties useful for tunable spintronic devices.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of reversible strain effects on LaCoO3 magnetization and quantifies the strain dependence of its Curie temperature.

Findings

Magnetization decreases with tensile strain.

Co magnetic moment increases with tensile strain.

Curie temperature varies by less than 4K per 1% strain.

Abstract

The magnetization of ferromagnetic LaCoO3 films grown epitaxially on piezoelectric substrates has been found to systematically decrease with the reduction of tensile strain. The magnetization change induced by the reversible strain variation reveals an increase of the Co magnetic moment with tensile strain. The biaxial strain dependence of the Curie temperature is estimated to be below 4K/% in the as-grown tensile strain state of our films. This is in agreement with results from statically strained films on various substrates.