Strain induced phase separation in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 ultra thin films

Magnetic and transport properties are investigated in epitaxial La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 thin films grown on SrLaAlO4 under high in plane compressive strain (-3.1 %). Films with thickness in the range 2-6.5 nm show a two dimensional coherent growth mode and are significantly strained as shown by the expansion of the out of plane lattice parameter. We provide evidence for phase separation induced by the inhomogeneous strain field, free of artefacts related to composition changes at grain boundaries or structurally disordered regions characteristic of island growth. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.