Ultra-sharp oscillatory magneto-resistance in spatially confined La0.3Pr0.4Ca0.3MnO3 epitaxial thin films

Abstract

Our investigations of magneto-transport properties of La0.3Pr0.4Ca0.3MnO3 manganite thin films of reduced dimensions revealed dramatic changes in R(θ), the dependence of resistivity on the angle between the magnetic field direction and the current direction, and consequently in the anisotropic magneto-resistance. A regular oscillatory sin2θ form of R(θ) is replaced by a very sharp rectangular-shaped ones when the dimensions of the system become comparable to the size of the intrinsic electronic domains. We discuss possible mechanisms that could be responsible for these changes.