Spin polarized La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films on silicon

La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 polycrystalline manganite thin films were grown on silicon (Si) substrates covered by SiOx amorphous native oxide. Curie temperatures of about 325 K were achieved for 70-nm-thick films. Strong room temperature XMCD signal was detected indicating high spin polarization at the surface. Cross-sectional TEM images show sharp interface between SiOx and manganite without signature of chemical reaction at the interface. Unusual sharp splitting of the manganite film was observed: on the top of a transition layer characterized by low crystalline order, a magnetically robust layer is formed. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved