Coexistence of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and ferromagnetic insulation in vertically aligned nanocomposite films

L Lianxu Ye (College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,) H Huan Zheng (College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,) Y Yuanyuan Zhang R Ruixing Xu (School of Microelectronics & Data Science, Anhui University of Technology 3 , Maanshan 243002,) C Chongjun He (College of Astronautics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Space Photoelectric Detection and Perception, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 4 , Nanjing 211106,) R Run Zhao R Rujun Tang W Weiwei Li (Beijing University of Chemical Technology , , ,) F Fengjiao Qian (Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics (NUAA), MIIT, Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,) Y Yanda Ji (College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,) J Jiyu Fan (Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics (NUAA), MIIT, Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,) Y Yan Zhu H Hao Yang

Abstract

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and ferromagnetic insulating behavior are two key properties for the advancement of spintronic devices, yet their coexistence in a single material system remains challenging. In this work, we report the epitaxial growth of (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)1−x:(MgO)x (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films on SrTiO3(001) substrates, in which both properties are simultaneously realized. The introduction of vertically aligned MgO nanopillars induces strong out-of-plane (OOP) lattice elongation in the LSMO matrix, leading to a reorientation of the magnetic easy axis from in-plane to OOP with increasing MgO content. In parallel, a transition from metallic-insulating behavior to fully insulating conduction is observed with increasing MgO concentration. This study demonstrates the dual modulation of magnetic and transport properties via vertical strain engineering, offering a powerful platform for next-generation spintronic device design.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 20
Published November 17, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

L

Lianxu Ye

College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,

H

Huan Zheng

College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,

Y

Yuanyuan Zhang

R

Ruixing Xu

School of Microelectronics & Data Science, Anhui University of Technology 3 , Maanshan 243002,

C

Chongjun He

College of Astronautics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Space Photoelectric Detection and Perception, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 4 , Nanjing 211106,

R

Run Zhao

R

Rujun Tang

W

Weiwei Li

Beijing University of Chemical Technology , , ,

F

Fengjiao Qian

Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics (NUAA), MIIT, Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,

Y

Yanda Ji

College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,

J

Jiyu Fan

Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics (NUAA), MIIT, Department of Applied Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 , Nanjing 211106,

Y

Yan Zhu

H

Hao Yang