Metal-insulator transition and ferromagnetism phenomena in La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 thin films:: Formation of Ce-rich nanoclusters -: art. no. 184437

The nature of metal-insulator transition and ferromagnetism phenomena of perovskite La0.7Ce0.3MnO3 thin films was investigated. In particular, the effects of post-annealing under oxidization and reduction atmospheres on the electrical transport and magnetic properties were systematically examined. The metal-insulator transition temperature and the Curie temperature of ferromagnetism were found to be significantly influenced by the post-annealing and increase with increasing the post-annealing temperature under both oxygen and argon atmospheres. In addition, the major carriers within the conductive films were identified to be holes. Structural and composition analysis clarified that cation deficiencies due to nanoclustering cerium oxides within the post-annealed films are responsible for the emergence of the metal-insulator transition and ferromagnetism phenomena.