Structural, magnetic, and transport studies of La0.8MnO3 films

A study of the properties of La0.8MnO3 films of varying thickness was performed. Transport and magnetization measurements show that the ferromagnetic (metallic) volume fraction of the film varies from ∼ 1/4 for ultrathin 60  A films to ∼ 1/2 for 1600  A films. Multilength scale structural measurements reveal that near 300  A, a transition from highly strained ultrathin films to relaxed bulk-like films occurs. The transition region is characterized by low surface roughness, high crystallite orientation, and broad d-spacing distributions.