Spherical cluster ensembles with fractal structure in LaSrMnO: New form of self-organization in solids
Abstract
The growth of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films in magnetron plasma, in special conditions, leads to the appearance of ensembles of micron-sized spherical crystalline clusters with fractal structure, which we consider to be a new form of self-organization in solids. Each ensemble contains 105-106 elementary clusters, 100-250 Å in diameter. Interaction of the clusters in the ensemble is realized through the interatomic chemical bonds, intrinsic to the manganites. Integration of peripheral areas of interacting clusters results in the formation of common intercluster medium in the ensemble. We argue that the ensembles with fractal structure built into paramagnetic disordered matrix have ferromagnetic properties. Absence of sharp borders between elementary clusters and the presence of common intercluster medium inside each ensemble permits to rearrange magnetic order and to change the volume of the ferromagnetic phase, providing automatically a high sensitivity of the material to the external field.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Applied Physics
- Pub Date:
- April 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.4803122
- Bibcode:
- 2013JAP...113p4309O
- Keywords:
-
- ferromagnetic materials;
- fractals;
- lanthanum compounds;
- magnetic particles;
- magnetic thin films;
- nanomagnetics;
- nanoparticles;
- paramagnetic materials;
- plasma materials processing;
- self-assembly;
- strontium compounds;
- 75.70.Ak;
- 81.16.Dn;
- 52.77.Dq;
- 75.20.Ck;
- 75.50.Dd;
- 75.50.Kj;
- Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films;
- Self-assembly;
- Plasma-based ion implantation and deposition;
- Nonmetals;
- Nonmetallic ferromagnetic materials;
- Amorphous and quasicrystalline magnetic materials