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  Bergenti, I.; Manna, P.; Lin, C.; Graziosi, P.; Liu, X.; Causer, G.; Liscio, F.; Ruotolo, A.; Dediu, V.; Van Lierop, J.; Klose, F.; Lin, K.: Surface engineering with Ar⁺/O⁺₂ ion beam bombardment: Tuning the electronic and magnetic behavior of Ni₈₀Fe₂₀/La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/SrTiO₃(001) junctions. Journal of Applied Physics 124 (2018), p. 183903/1-10

10.1063/1.5049235
Open Access version by external provider

Abstract:
The magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Ni80Fe20/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (NiFe/LSMO) bilayers were investigated after bombarding the LSMO surface with low-energy Ar+ or O2+/Ar+ ion beams before the growth of the top NiFe layer. A variety of magnetic properties are revealed, including an asymmetric two-stepped hysteresis loop with an exchange bias loop shift, and alternatively, a symmetric two-stepped hysteresis loop with an enhanced coercivity. Polarized neutron reflectometry measurements provide details of the magnetic depth profile and interface layer magnetism at different temperatures. The LSMO surface modifications determine a complex magnetic and electric NiFe/LSMO interface having a strong effect on the magnetoresistance of the bilayer. Surface engineering based on ion beam bombardment is presented as a promising technique for optimizing the electronic and magnetic properties of NiFe/LSMO junctions for future device applications.