Ferromagnetic domain structures and spin configurations measured in doped manganite

We report on measurements of the spin configuration across ferromagnetic domains in La0.325Pr0.3Ca0.375MnO3 films obtained by means of low-temperature Lorentz electron microscopy with in situ magnetizing capabilities. Due to the particular crystal symmetry of the material, we observe two sets of independent ferromagnetic twin variants, one of which was pinned by crystallographic twinning.

The spin orientation and configuration of the domains were measured quantitatively using electron diffraction and electron holography, and verified with structural modeling. The observed deviation of spin orientations from the expected 90 degrees head-to-tail configuration across the domain walls was attributed to the variation in the domains' aspect ratios as a result of the demagnetization field.

Our study provides important insight on how the spin configuration coupled with the magnetic structure and the crystal symmetry might affect the magnetoresistivity under an applied magnetic field in a strongly correlated electron system.