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Abstract |
The ferromagnetic phase of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 thin films has been investigated through measurements of magnetization loops at different temperatures, zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization curves obtained under different magnetic fields. We have found that the main sources of the “bulk” coercivity in manganite films are the film/substrate interface and film surface. The temperature dependence of the coercivity is described by a “strong domain-wall pinning” model, independently of the thickness and substrate. The magnetization-vs-temperature curves, measured under different magnetic fields (10 Oe<H<2.5 kOe), have been explained in terms of the magnetic hysteresis of the films. We find no evidence of glass states or of the existence of single-domain clusters, as suggested by other authors. |
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