Ni 3d – O 2p Hybridization Dependent Magnetic Properties Of Lanio3 Thin Films

We present here the study on magnetic properties and their relation to the electronic structure for c-axis oriented LaNiO3 films deposited on LaAlO3 single crystals using the rf-magnetron sputtering. Swift heavy ion irradiation induced annealing alters the unusual temperature dependent magnetic behaviour of pristine film to the paramagnetic one. X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements, performed at O K-edge and Ni L-edge, reveal that Ni[sbnd]O hybridization is increased after the initial irradiation. Charge-transfer multiplet calculations of the Ni L-edge indicate that variation of magnetic behaviour can be related to the Ni[sbnd]O hybridization strength inducing a further variation in Ni spin state. © 2016619144147CSIR, Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchDST/INSPIRE/04/2015/002938, Department of Science and Technolog