Modulating Magnetic Properties by Tailoring In-Plane Domain Structures in Hexagonal YMnO3 Films.
Periodic structures and the coupling of multiorder parameters in complex oxides heterojunctions can generate exotic properties, of interest both for fundamental researches and for device applications. Here, we report a self-assembling in-plane periodic domain structure, and the resulting rich magnetic states, in a h-YMnO3 thin film fabricated on c-face sapphire substrate. Detailed structural investigations at atomic-level reveal the fashion of alternating domains under tensile or compressive strains separated by a boundary region. Tuned by this in-plane domain structure, the abnormal magnetic properties, such as the ferromagnetic enhancement and the unexpected spin glass state (below ∼38 K), are realized. Moreover, the existence of ferroelectric polarization is confirmed by scanning transmission electron microscopy, which brings in the chances of magnetoelectric coupling effect. These results manifest the close connections between the magnetic properties and such in-plane microstructures, suggesting the possibility of tuning the coupling effects via strain engineering in the hexagonal manganite film.
National Center for Electron Microscopy in Beijing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The State Key laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P.R. China.
Shiqing
S
Deng
National Center for Electron Microscopy in Beijing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The State Key laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P.R. China.|Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
Shaobo
S
Cheng
Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education and International Center for Dielectric Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an 710049, P. R. China.
Ming
M
Liu
National Center for Electron Microscopy in Beijing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The State Key laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P.R. China.|Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
Jing
J
Zhu
domain structure; h-YMnO3; multiferroic; strain engineering; thin film