Investigation on valences and strains in La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$/PbZr$_{0.2}$Ti$_{0.8}$ O$_{3}$ Heterostructures

Magnetoelectric (ME) coupled materials have electric and magnetic properties coexisting and coupled together, promising novel applications. Understanding the coupling mechanisms responsible for this behavior would allow a strategic approach to device design. Our group studies the interfacial properties of the known magnetoelectric system of ferromagnetic La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$ (LSMO) and ferroelectric PbZr$_{0.2}$Ti$_{0.8}$ O$_{3}$ (PZT). Through photoemission electron microscopy imagining, ME coupling was confirmed at the interface. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of Mn and Ti was taken across wedged samples of varying ferroelectric and ferromagnetic thicknesses. X-ray microdiffraction was analyzed at different thickness to investigate the strain effect on ME coupling. The effect of thickness and strain on Mn and Ti valences suggest an ideal model for improving interfacial coupling in these systems.