Strain induced magnetic domain evolution and spin re-orientation transition in epitaxial manganite films

TL;DR

This study investigates how strain influences magnetic domain structures and spin re-orientation transitions in epitaxial manganite films, revealing distinct magnetic regions and a resilient domain splitting phenomenon.

Contribution

It introduces a model magnetic free energy functional explaining the observed domain splitting and magnetic reorientations in strained manganite films.

Findings

Identification of two magnetic regions with distinct orientations

Observation of a resilient domain splitting at boundary regions

Proposal of a theoretical model explaining domain behavior

Abstract

The evolution of magnetic domain structure in epitaxial La$_{0.625}$Ca$_{0.375}$MnO$_3$ films on (001) NdGaO$_3$ is monitored as a function of temperature and magnetic field using Magnetic Force Microscopy. We see two distinct regions of magnetic orientational order; one in-plane displaying contrast-less image and the other tilted away from the film plane forming a distinct stripe pattern. A strong domain splitting is observed at the boundary of two regions, which is resilient to reorientation with temperature and magnetic field. We propose a model magnetic free energy functional to explain the mechanism of domain splitting seen in manganite films.