Effect of Au proximity on the LSMO surface: An ab initio study

► Three structures considered: bulk LSMO, Au/LSMO and vacuum LSMO interfaces. ► At the two interfaces the formation of a discontinuity creates an orbital ordering. ► DFT calculations point toward an enhancement of the magnetization at the interface. ► Negligible chemical interaction with gold is seen for a 2D ideal interface. ► Crucial role of the 3D nature of Au on LSMO in depressing LSMO magnetic properties.