The Ferromagnetic Properties and Electronic Transport of La0.9Sr0.1MnO3 Thin Films Embedded with Pt Nano-Crystals

A ferromagnet-metal composite, La0.9Sr0.1MnO3-Pt (nano-crystal)-La0.9Sr0.1MnO3, was executed by r.f. magnetron sputtering deposition. It was clearly shown that the metallic Pt nano-crystals were formed in the La0.9Sr0.1MnO3 (LSMO) matrix. The decrease of Curie temperature by the introduction of Pt nano-crystals into LSMO thin films was observed, which was attributed to the induction of the magnetic inhomogeneity or spin disorder in the films. Moreover, the spin alignment in the normal direction of the films was significantly affected by the insertion of the ultrathin layers of Pt nano-crystals. The metal nano-crystals embedded in the LSMO matrix led to a better connectivity and provided an easier pathway for electron transport between grains.