Abstract
Complex interactions across the interface in heterostructures can generate novel functionalities not present in the constituent materials. Here, we create a unique ferromagnetic ground state out of normally antiferromagnetic BiFeO3 (BFO) by interleaving it with layers of ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3. Intriguingly, we found that the magnetization of BFO was aligned opposite to that of the manganite layers. Based on polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) depth profiling of custom-designed layers, we obtained a net magnetization in the BFO layers of 275 kA/m (~1.83 μB/Fe) at 10 K, which is two times larger than the previously reported values. Additionally, ferromagnetic order in the BFO persists up to 200 K, which is much higher than previously seen in BFO heterostructures. Our unprecedented understanding of the evolution of magnetism and functional coupling across the interface between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic layers provides a blueprint towards advanced spintronic devices.
