La[sub 1-x]Ba[sub x]MnO[sub 3] epitaxial thin films by pulsed-laser deposition: A consequence of strain stabilization.

We report transport, magnetization, and transmission-electron-microscopic studies of La[sub 1-x]Ba[sub x]MnO[sub 3]/SrTiO[sub 3] thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition. The metal–insulator transition is remarkably sharp, and the high value of the temperature coefficient of resistivity is significantly relevant for the required value for the infrared imaging applications. We have demonstrated that the strain-induced property can be tuned and stabilized in La[sub 1-x]Ba[sub x]MnO[sub 3] films simply by changing the doping level (La/Ba ratio) and addition of metal ions (Ag) for applications at desirable temperature regime close to room temperature. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]