Abstract
Transmission of information using the spin of the electron as well as its charge requires a high degree of spin polarization at surfaces. However, at surfaces this degree of polarization can be quenched by competing interactions. Using a combination of surface-sensitive X-ray and tunnelling probes, we show for the quasi-two-dimensional bilayer manganites that only the outermost Mn–O bilayer is affected: it is a 1-nm-thick insulator that exhibits no long-range ferromagnetic order, whereas the next bilayer displays the full spin polarization of the bulk. Such an abrupt localization of the surface effects is due to the two-dimensional nature of the layered manganite, and the loss of ferromagnetism is attributed to weakened double exchange in the reconstructed surface bilayer and a resultant antiferromagnetic phase. The creation of a well-defined surface insulator atop a fully spin-polarized bulk demonstrates the ability of two of the most demanding components of an ideal magnetic tunnel junction to self-assemble naturally.
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Acknowledgements
The research, including the use of the Advanced Photon Source, was supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Basic Energy Sciences, under contract W-31-109-ENG-38.
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Freeland, J., Gray, K., Ozyuzer, L. et al. Full bulk spin polarization and intrinsic tunnel barriers at the surface of layered manganites. Nature Mater 4, 62–67 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1280
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1280
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