Interface magnetism in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃/PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ epitaxial heterostructures

All oxide magnetic tunnel junctions based on epitaxial La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (LCMO)(8 nm)/PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ (PBCO) (3-8 nm)/LCMO(25-50 nm) heterostructures grown on (100) SrTiO₃ are examined. Manganite electrodes show large (bulk-like) magnetic moments and exhibit different magnetic anisotropies with different easy axes directions. A form of low dimensional magnetism is induced at the interfaces by the superexchange interaction across the reconstructed bonds. It acts as an exchange spring, driving ferromagnetic coupling between the electrodes. Resistance versus magnetic field loops demonstrate that the interfacial coupling strength depends on electric field through its effect on electronic reconstruction and orbital hierarchy at the interface. The electrically controlled magnetic coupling between the magnetic moments of the electrodes signals a new path toward low dissipation spintronics. (copyright 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)