# Magnetism tailored by mechanical strain engineering in PrVO$_3$ thin films

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates that mechanical strain engineering in PrVO$_3$ thin films can significantly enhance their magnetic transition temperature and induce novel orbital-ordering, revealing new pathways to control properties of transition-metal oxides.

## Contribution

The paper provides experimental and theoretical evidence that epitaxial strain can tailor magnetism and orbital order in PrVO$_3$ thin films, a novel approach in oxide material engineering.

## Key findings

- Néel temperature increased by 40 K in thin films
- Epitaxial compressive strain induces tetragonality
- Strain promotes unique orbital-ordering of V$^{3+}$ electrons

## Abstract

Transition-metal oxides with an ABO$_3$ perovskite structure exhibit strongly entangled structural and electronic degrees of freedom and thus, one expects to unveil exotic phases and properties by acting on the lattice through various external stimuli. Using the Jahn-Teller active praseodymium vanadate Pr$^{3+}$V$^{3+}$O$_3$ compound as a model system, we show that PrVO$_3$ N\'eel temperature T$_N$ can be raised by 40 K with respect to the bulk when grown as thin films. Using advanced experimental techniques, this enhancement is unambiguously ascribed to a tetragonality resulting from the epitaxial compressive strain experienced by the films. First-principles simulations not only confirm experimental results, but they also reveal that the strain promotes an unprecedented orbital-ordering of the V$^{3+}$ d electrons, strongly favouring antiferromagnetic interactions. These results show that an accurate control of structural aspects is the key for unveiling unexpected phases in oxides.