La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$ Epitaxial Films on SrTiO$_{3}$(001): Interface Effects \& Electronic Distribution

La$_{1-x}$Sr$_{x}$MnO$_{3}$ is an attractive material for incorporation into spin-dependent electronic devices and optimally doped La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$ (LSMO) is among the most widely studied colossal magneto-resistance materials. Using a combination of soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and hard x-ray reflectivity, we found that epitaxial films of LSMO grown on STO(001) substrates exhibit an inhomogeneous 3d electron-distribution along surface normal direction, divided between an intermediate layer (enriched in Mn$^{3+}$) and a nominal mixed-valence layer (Mn$^{3+}$ \& Mn$^{4+}$) of LSMO. This electronic redistribution near the interface is in turn correlated with an unusual remanent magnetic state.