Induced magnetization in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BiFeO3 superlattices

Using polarized neutron reflectometry, we observe an induced magnetization of 75±25kA/m at 10 K in a La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO)/BiFeO3 superlattice extending from the interface through several atomic layers of the BiFeO3 (BFO). The induced magnetization in BFO is explained by density functional theory, where the size of band gap of BFO plays an important role. Considering a classical exchange field between the LSMO and BFO layers, we further show that magnetization is expected to extend throughout the BFO, which provides a theoretical explanation for the results of the neutron scattering experiment. © 2014 American Physical Society.