Strain-induced magnetic properties of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films

We report the temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy in both compressive and tensile strained films of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (PSMO). Compressive strain induced by growth on LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates results in a spontaneous out-of-plane magnetization, while tensile strain (grown on SrTiO3) results in in-plane magnetization. The coefficient of linear proportionality between the magnetic anisotropy energy and the tetragonal strain for both compressive and tensile strained PSMO films is larger than that found previously in strained La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 films. From the data, we estimate a 20 unit-cell magnetic domain wall width for PSMO/ LAG. Scattering from such a narrow domain wall could produce a potentially significant contribution to the resistivity.