Electron nematic fluid in a strained Sr3Ru2O7 film

Sr3Ru2O7 belongs to the family of layered strontium ruthenates and exhibits a range of unusual emergent properties, such as electron nematic behavior and metamagnetism. Here, we show that epitaxial film strain significantly modifies these phenomena. In particular, we observe enhanced magnetic interactions and an electron nematic phase that extends to much higher temperatures and over a larger magnetic-field range than in bulk single crystals. Furthermore, the films show an unusual anisotropic non-Fermi-liquid behavior that is controlled by the direction of the applied magnetic field. At high magnetic fields, the metamagnetic transition to a ferromagnetic phase recovers isotropic Fermi-liquid behavior. The results support the interpretation that these phenomena are linked to the special features of the Fermi surface, which can be tuned by both film strain and an applied magnetic field.