Structural and electronic properties of epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ–La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 bilayers grown on SrTiO3 (1 1 0) substrates

• Preparation of (1 1 0) YBCO–LCMO bilayers free of admixtures of (0 0 1) and/or (1 0 3) grains of YBCO.
• Structure induced highly anisotropic charge transport and magnetic properties of the film.
• New perspectives for the exploration of the interplay between high-temperature superconductivity and ferromagnetism.

Epitaxial bilayers of the high-temperature-superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) and the ferromagnetic metal La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO) were prepared by pulsed laser deposition on (1 1 0)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates, such that the CuO2 planes of YBCO are perpendicular to the YBCO–LCMO interface. X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering demonstrate complete (1 1 0) orientation of both YBCO and LCMO overlayers. The resistivity and magnetization of the bilayer films are highly anisotropic. The critical temperatures for superconductivity and ferromagnetism as well as the saturation magnetization exhibit modest reductions compared to corresponding bulk values.