Strain effects on transport and magnetic properties of Pr0.65La0.05Ca0.3MnO3 thin films

Pr0.65La0.05Ca0.3MnO3 (PLCMO) thin films in various thickness with either compressive or tensile strains were epitaxially deposited on (0 0 1) SrTiO3 (STO) and (0 0 1) LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates. Epitaxial strain in films relaxes with increasing film thickness, as evidenced from X-ray diffraction studies. Charge ordered insulating phase is stabilized in strained PLCMO films, no matter it is compressive or tensile. The charge ordering temperature decreases with the decrease of strain in PLCMO films. The curie temperature and the saturated magnetic moment in films increases as the strain relaxes with increasing film thickness. The transport and magnetic properties are well explained in terms of substrate induced strain.