Observation of domain wall resistivity in $\rm SrRuO_3$

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that ferromagnetic domain walls in SrRuO3 increase electrical resistivity, with the effect varying based on temperature and current direction, highlighting the influence of magnetic domain structures on electronic transport.

Contribution

It provides the first direct observation of domain wall resistivity in SrRuO3 and explores its temperature dependence and anisotropic effects.

Findings

Domain walls enhance resistivity in SrRuO3.

Resistivity increase varies with temperature.

Anisotropic effects observed for different current directions.

Abstract

$\rm SrRuO_3$ is an itinerant ferromagnet with $T_c \sim 150 \rm K$. When $\rm SrRuO_3$ is cooled through $T_c$ in zero applied magnetic field, a stripe domain structure appears whose orientation is uniquely determined by the large uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy. We find that the ferromagnetic domain walls clearly enhance the resisitivity of $\rm SrRuO_3$ and that the enhancement has different temperature dependence for currents parallel and perpendicular to the domain walls. We discuss possible interpretations of our results.