Mixed-valence perovskite thin films by polymer-assisted deposition

In thin films of rare-earth manganites, RE1-xMxMnO3 (RE =rare earth, M = Ca, Sr, Ba), with mixed-valence perovskite structure, the transport properties highly depend on the deposition technique, processing conditions, and the substrate used. Chemical solution deposition techniques provide many advantages, such as low cost, easy setup, and coating of large areas. However, the crystalline quality, uniformity, and reproducibility of the film depend on the reactivity of the chemical used for solution preparation. In this paper, we report a novel process to grow rare-earth manganite films using low-cost polymer-assisted deposition technique. In this process, polymer controls the viscosity and binds metal ions, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of metal precursors in the solution and a uniform film. These solutions were stable, and crack-free films were obtained using these solutions. In this paper, thin films of La1-xSrxMnO3, La1-xCaxMnO3, and Pr0.5Ca0.5MnO3 were grown on (001) LaAlO3 substrates. The La1-xSrxMnO3 and La1-xCaxMnO3 films were highly c-axis oriented and epitaxial, and showed high magnetoresistance near their Curie temperature. Charge ordering was observed in the Pr0.5Ca0.5MnO3 film at 220 K and high magnetoresistance of nearly -100% was obtained at low temperatures. The structural, transport, and magnetic properties of these films were similar to those obtained for films grown by physical vapor deposition.