Tuning magnetic anisotropy by interfacial engineering in La_2/3Sr_1/3Co_{1 – x}Mn_xO_{2.5 + δ}/La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃/La_2/3Sr_1/3Co_{1 – x}Mn_xO_{2.5 + δ}trilayers*

Abstract

Grouping different oxide materials with coupled charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom together to form heterostructures provides a rich playground to explore the emergent interfacial phenomena. The perovskite/brownmillerite heterostructure is particularly interesting since symmetry mismatch may produce considerable interface reconstruction and unexpected physical effects. Here, we systemically study the magnetic anisotropy of tensely strained La 2/3 Sr 1/3 Co 1 – x Mn x O 2.5 + δ /La 2/3 Sr 1/3 MnO 3 /La 2/3 Sr 1/3 Co 1 – x Mn x O 2.5 + δ trilayers with interface structures changing from perovskite/brownmillerite type to perovskite/perovskite type. Without Mn doping, the initial La 2/3 Sr 1/3 CoO 2.5 + δ /La 2/3 Sr 1/3 MnO 3 /La 2/3 Sr 1/3 CoO 2.5 + δ trilayer with perovskite/brownmillerite interface type exhibits perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the maximal anisotropy constant is 3.385 × 10 6 erg/cm 3 , which is more than one orders of magnitude larger than that of same strained LSMO film. By increasing the Mn doping concentration, the anisotropy constant displays monotonic reduction and even changes from perpendicular magnetic anisotropy to in-plane magnetic anisotropy, which is possible because of the reduced CoO 4 tetrahedra concentration in the La 2/3 Sr 1/3 Co 1 – x Mn x O 2.5 + δ layers near the interface. Based on the analysis of the x-ray linear dichroism, the orbital reconstruction of Mn ions occurs at the interface of the trilayers and thus results in the controllable magnetic anisotropy.