Imprinting magnetic information in manganites with X-rays

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that X-ray exposure can modify the magnetic and electronic properties of manganite films, enabling the creation of magnetic and electronic domains through persistent doping effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of imprinting magnetic information in manganites using X-ray irradiation, revealing persistent doping-induced magnetic and electronic modifications.

Findings

X-ray exposure increases antiferromagnetic response.

Conductivity of the film improves with X-ray exposure.

X-rays enable writing of magnetic and electronic domains.

Abstract

The effect of x-rays on an orbital and charge ordered epitaxial film of a Pr$_{0.5}$Ca$_{0.5}$MnO$_{3}$ is presented. As the film is exposed to x-rays, the antiferromagnetic response increases and concomitantly the conductivity of the film improve. These results are discussed in terms of a persistent x-ray induced doping, leading to a modification of the magnetic structure. This effect allows writing electronic and magnetic domains in the film and represents a novel way of manipulating magnetism.