Magnetic anisotropy of large floating-zone-grown single-crystals of SrRuO3

TL;DR

This study reports the growth of large, high-quality SrRuO3 single crystals using optical floating zone technique, enabling detailed magnetic anisotropy analysis relevant for ferromagnetic and conductive applications.

Contribution

First demonstration of large SrRuO3 single crystals grown via optical floating zone, allowing precise magnetic anisotropy measurements.

Findings

Crystals exhibit a Curie temperature of 165 K.

Residual resistance ratio of 75 indicates high crystal quality.

Magnetic anisotropy characterized in the crystals.

Abstract

SrRuO3 is a highly interesting material due to its anomalous-metal properties related with ferromagnetism and its relevance as conductive perovskite layer or substrate in heterostructure devices. We have used optical floating zone technique in an infrared image furnace to grow large single crystals of SrRuO3 with volumes attaining several hundred mm3. Crystals obtained for optimized growth parameters exhibit a high ferromagnetic Curie temperature of 165 K and a low-temperature magnetization of 1.6 muB at a magnetic field of 6 T. The high quality of the crystals is further documented by large residual resistance ratios of 75 and by crystal structure and chemical analyzes. With these crystals the magnetic anisotropy could be determined.