Structure characterization and magnetic properties of oxide superlattices La0.6Sr0.4MnO3/La0.6Sr0.4FeO3

Oxide superlattices composed alternatively of ferromagnetic metal layers of La0.06Sr0.04MnO3 and antiferromagnetic insulator layers of La0.06Sr0.4FeO3 were fabricated on SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition with controlling each layer thickness on an atomic scale. The near-perfect superlattice structure with atomically flat interfaces was verified by multiple peaks from Laue function in x-ray diffraction patterns with use of synchrotron radiation. An increase of antiferromagnetic La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 layer thickness from 2 to 5 unit cells induces strong magnetic frustration around the superlattice interfaces, leading to reduction in magnetic transition temperature and ferromagnetic volume, while increasing the resistivity and magnetoresistance at low temperatures.